One Nation One Election: Two major bills proposing simultaneous elections across India cleared their first hurdle in Parliament on Tuesday. The Lok Sabha approved the introduction of these bills with 269 members voting in favor and 198 against.
The government’s plan, known as ‘One Nation, One Election,’ aims to hold all state and national elections at the same time. If passed, this would mean voters would cast their votes for both state assemblies and Parliament on the same day.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two bills:
- The Constitution Amendment Bill
- The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill
Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Prime Minister Modi wants these bills to be carefully studied by a special committee (Joint Parliamentary Committee) before moving forward.
Opposition parties strongly objected to the bills. Congress, DMK, and other opposition members said these changes could hurt India’s federal structure and states’ rights. They argued that states should be free to hold elections on their own schedule.
This was also a historic moment as it marked the first time electronic voting was used in the new Parliament building.
What Happens Next:
- The bills will be reviewed by a parliamentary committee
- Detailed discussions will follow
- Both houses of Parliament must approve the final versions
- States will need to be consulted
The government says this change will save money and time, while critics worry it might affect regional politics and state autonomy. The debate is expected to continue in the coming months as the bills move through various stages of approval.
