The introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday has sparked an intense political debate across the country. Following the introduction of the bill, the opposition strongly reacted, voicing their objections. In response, the government has decided to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed deliberations.
The "One Nation, One Election" bill was passed with a simple majority, with 269 MPs voting in favor and 198 against. However, critics argue that the narrow margin exposes the government's lack of broad support for the bill, even at this early stage. Two-thirds majority, that is, equals to 307 was needed out of the total 461 votes, but the govt secured only 269, while the opposition got 198.
Several opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, and Samajwadi Party, have vehemently opposed the bill. They argue that the proposed legislation could undermine the democratic processes of the country. The opposition emphasizes that holding elections at different times allows state governments to focus on regional issues effectively. Furthermore, they contend that the bill could centralize control over state elections, which would be against the federal structure of India.
What is the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill? - The 'One Nation, One Election' proposal aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipal bodies, and panchayats across the country. The primary objectives of the bill are to simplify the electoral process, reduce election-related costs, save time, and ensure transparency and fairness. Currently, elections in India are held at various intervals, often causing disruptions in governance and significant expenditure.
A special committee was formed on September 2, 2023, under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to evaluate the proposal. The committee included representatives from various political parties and was tasked with studying the feasibility and challenges of holding simultaneous elections. On March 14, 2024, the committee submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. The report suggested that simultaneous elections could increase voter participation, enhance transparency, and align parliamentary and state assembly election schedules for better coordination.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, including Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSR Congress, have extended their support for the bill. These parties argue that the initiative would streamline the electoral process, reduce the chaos caused by frequent elections, and significantly cut expenses. They view the bill as a major step toward electoral reforms in the country.
Following the introduction of the bill, the opposition demanded a division of votes in the Lok Sabha. The request was accepted, and voting was conducted. Of the total votes, 269 were cast in favor of introducing the bill, while 198 votes were against it. This result highlights the government's adequate support to move the bill forward, despite strong opposition.
The bill will now be formally referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, where its provisions will be examined in detail. Once the JPC submits its report, the bill will be brought back to Parliament for debate and voting. Since implementing the proposal may require constitutional amendments, the process is expected to be lengthy and rigorous.