The government is preparing to introduce three key bills aimed at implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept during the current session of Parliament, following the Union Cabinet’s anticipated approval on Thursday. Although formal announcements regarding these bills are yet to be made since the winter session is in progress, it is expected that they will be submitted to a parliamentary committee for review.
These bills emerge from recommendations provided by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. One of the proposed constitutional amendment bills focuses on synchronizing local body elections with those of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, necessitating support from at least 50% of the states.
According to insiders, the first constitutional amendment bill aims to establish provisions for the simultaneous conduct of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections. This bill proposes amendments to Article 82A, aiming to add sub-clause (1) which will define the ‘appointed date’ for elections and sub-clause (2) to stipulate that the terms of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies would conclude at the same time.
Furthermore, the bill aims to amend Article 83(2) by introducing new sub-clauses (3) and (4) pertaining to the duration and dissolution processes of the Lok Sabha. Additionally, it will modify Article 327 to incorporate the term “simultaneous elections.” Notably, this bill will not require ratification from at least half of the states.
The second constitutional amendment bill, however, will seek such approval as it addresses matters specific to state governance. This bill aims to amend the constitutional provisions regarding the preparation of electoral rolls, stipulating that the Election Commission consult State Election Commissions when conducting elections for local bodies.
While the Election Commission oversees elections for positions such as the President and Lok Sabha members, State Election Commissions are responsible for local body elections, including those for municipalities and panchayats. The proposed bill aims to introduce provisions for holding simultaneous elections for these local bodies alongside those for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies by inserting a new Article 324A.
The third proposed bill will be a standard legislative proposal aimed at amending provisions in three laws connected to Union Territories with legislative assemblies, specifically Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. This legislation intends to align the election cycles of these bodies with those of the Lok Sabha and other State Assemblies as suggested in the first constitutional amendment bill. The acts targeted for amendment include the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act of 1991, the Government of Union Territories Act of 1963, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act of 2019. This bill will be ordinary legislation that does not necessitate constitutional amendment or state ratification.
The high-level committee made recommendations involving amendments to three constitutional articles, the addition of 12 new sub-clauses, and modifications to three laws related to Union Territories with legislative assemblies. In total, the proposals constitute 18 amendments and new insertions.
