Will there be a nationwide election in 2029? Modi cabinet approves ‘One Nation One Election’ bill

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a big step in the direction of ‘One Country-One Election’. The Union Cabinet meeting was held on Thursday, in which the proposal of ‘One Nation One Election’ has been approved. Sources have given this information.Also, sources have said that this bill can also be tabled in the Parliament soon.

At present, assembly elections of states within the country are held at different times, while Lok Sabha elections are also held at different times. However, the government aims to hold Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously along with urban body and panchayat elections within 100 days. At present, the proposal related to this has been approved by the Union Cabinet. Recently, a high level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had submitted its report.

Bill can be presented in Parliament soon

Sources reveal that the bill may soon be introduced in Parliament. The government is ready to have a comprehensive discussion on the bill and it may be sent to a parliamentary committee (JPC).

Sources reveal that the government is also willing to consult the Speakers of different state assemblies through the committee. According to PTI, sources, citing the recommendations of Ramnath Kovind’s committee, had said that a sub-section related to the due date would be included in one of the proposed bills- It is proposed to amend Article 82A by adding clause (1). An effort will also be made to include sub-section (2) in Article 82A relating to simultaneous termination of the tenure of the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

What were the recommendations made by the committee?

Sources reveal that the bill may soon be introduced in Parliament. The government is ready to extensively deliberate on the bill and it may be sent to a parliamentary committee (JPC). It is said that the government is also willing to consult the Speakers of different state assemblies through the committee. According to PTI, sources, citing the recommendations of Ramnath Kovind’s committee, had said that a sub-section related to the due date would be included in one of the proposed bills- (1). An effort will also be made to include sub-section (2) in Article 82A relating to simultaneous termination of the tenure of the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. In this, new sub-sections related to amendment of Article 83(2) and dissolution of Lok Sabha along with its tenure are included. It is also proposed to include (3) and (4). It also has provisions relating to dissolution of assemblies and amending Article 327 to include the term simultaneous elections.

The recommendation states that this bill will not require approval from at least 50 percent of the states. However, any move to hold local body elections simultaneously will require the approval of at least 50 per cent of the state legislatures, except for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as these relate to state affairs. Another Bill will be a general Bill to amend the provisions of three laws relating to Union Territories having Legislative Assemblies – Puducherry, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, so as to align the terms of these Houses with those of other Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, as That proposed in the first constitutional amendment bill.