Government Decides Not to Present One Nation, One Election Bill in Lok Sabha Tomorrow
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New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, formally recognized as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, is not scheduled for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Revised Business List of the Lower House does not include the Bill.
Initially, the first list had earmarked the Bill for Monday, indicating that Arjun Ram Meghwal was to seek approval to introduce the Bill aimed at amending the Constitution of India. Additionally, the Minister was set to present the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to modify the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The initial amendment Bill aimed to facilitate simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, while another Bill sought to synchronize Assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry.
With the revised list excluding mention of these Bills, it is inferred that the One Nation, One Election Bill will not be introduced on Monday. The parliamentary session is expected to conclude on December 20. Sources suggest that the Bills might be introduced later this week, or the government can present them at the last moment through a Supplementary List of Business with the Speaker's consent.
On Thursday, the Union Cabinet sanctioned the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, along with the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The details were shared with MPs the following evening.
The report was compiled by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee's findings, submitted in March, highlighted the difficulties associated with extended election cycles.
The report proposed that conducting simultaneous elections could foster policy stability, reduce voter fatigue, and enhance electoral engagement. The comprehensive 18,626-page report was prepared over 191 days and involved extensive consultations with various stakeholders and experts.
Following the Cabinet's endorsement, numerous opposition leaders criticized the proposal, labeling it as impractical and a threat to federalism. They expressed concerns regarding the government's intention to introduce the One Nation, One Election Bill during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
The revised business list does not include the Bill but notes that the law minister will introduce the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024.
This Bill aims to facilitate the reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution to promote effective democratic participation by members of Scheduled Tribes and to allow for the readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, particularly as necessitated by the inclusion of certain communities in the Scheduled Tribes list of Goa.
