‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill Postponed, Focus Shifts to Financial Business in Lok Sabha

The Union Government has deferred the introduction of the much-anticipated ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill in the Lok Sabha, opting to prioritize the passage of supplementary demands for grants. While the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, aimed at enabling synchronized elections across India, were initially listed for December 16, they have been excluded from the updated legislative schedule.

According to sources, the bills may still be introduced later this week, potentially by Tuesday, after the financial business of the House is concluded. The supplementary demands for grants, scheduled for Monday, take precedence in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Once introduced, the bills are expected to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for comprehensive deliberation.

The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in the government’s efforts to streamline India’s electoral system. The initiative, a cornerstone of the ruling BJP’s agenda, aims to synchronize Lok Sabha, State Assembly, and local body elections to reduce election-related costs and disruption. A high-level panel, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has underscored the transformative potential of unified elections, submitting its detailed report on the subject in March 2024.

The Winter Session, which began on November 25, is slated to continue until December 20. If passed, the new law will mandate that elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and urban or rural local bodies occur in the same year, potentially bringing substantial reforms to India’s electoral process.

The delay in tabling the bill reflects the government’s strategy to manage legislative priorities effectively while navigating the complexities of introducing sweeping electoral reforms.