‘One Nation One Election’ Bill Set to Be Introduced in Lok Sabha Tomorrow, Bharatiya Janata Party Issues Whip For MPs

Delhi, December 16, 2024: The much-awaited “One Nation One Election” bill on simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections is all set to be presented in the Lok Sabha on December 17. Dubbed as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, it aims to rationalize the election process in India by aligning national and state elections.

One Nation One Election: Bharatiya Janata Party Issues Whip For MPs

BJP issues a three line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the house on 17th December, 2024 as some important legislative business is to be discussed. pic.twitter.com/lfdQgErwUs

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024

The proposed legislation has been a topic of intense debate in political circles, with supporters claiming it could reduce election-related costs and streamline governance. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is a strong supporter of the bill, has issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs, asking them to be present in the House on the day the bill is introduced. A senior BJP official revealed that several key legislative matters, including the “One Nation One Election” bill, would be discussed in both Houses of Parliament during the ongoing winter session.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is scheduled to present the bill in the Lok Sabha, after which he will request Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a Joint Committee for further consultations. This committee will be formed based on the proportional strength of various parties in Parliament and is likely to be headed by the BJP, being the single largest party. The committee will discuss the finer details of the proposal before it is put up for a final vote.

The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to close on December 20, leaving only a narrow window for the government to introduce the bill before the session closes. In case it is introduced on December 17, discussions and deliberations will continue in the coming days.

Proponents, including some of the top BJP leaders, argue that simultaneous elections would reduce the frequent disruptions caused by electoral cycles, lower the financial burden of conducting separate elections, and create a more efficient governance framework. Home Minister Amit Shah, a significant advocate for the initiative, is expected to be present during the bill’s introduction.

He was also a member of the high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which had advocated the adoption of simultaneous elections. The bill has met strong resistance from various political parties.

The Trinamool Congress and other regional parties have expressed alarms about its impact on India’s federal structure. They argue that the proposal might marginalize regional parties, make power central at the national level, and reduce the diversity of representation in state assemblies. Critics also question the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in a country as vast and diverse as India, where logistical challenges, differing regional priorities, and a broad spectrum of local issues could complicate the process.

The BJP has expressed its conviction that the move will serve the nation’s interest as it would ease governance and the management of elections. With the bill moving in Parliament, the entire nation is watching for the Joint Committee’s findings and the final decision on amending the act.

The debate over “One Nation One Election” is going to shape the Indian political landscape in the coming months, potentially redefining the manner of elections in India.