NEW DELHI, Dec 17: On Tuesday, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented two bills in the Lok Sabha aimed at establishing a framework for conducting simultaneous elections across the country. The opposition has criticized these draft laws, labeling them as an infringement on the fundamental structure of the Constitution.
The bills introduced include the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024—often referred to as the “one nation, one election” bill—and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which intends to synchronize the election schedules for the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
During the introductory phase, Congress member Manish Tewari voiced opposition, arguing that the bills undermine the Constitution’s basic structure.
Opposition members have the right to voice their dissent during the introduction, after which the minister presents the bill, typically through a voice vote.
Dharmendra Yadav from the Samajwadi Party asserted that the bill threatens the federal principles established by the Constitution’s framers. He remarked that while simultaneous assembly elections may not be feasible, the government is advocating for a unified electoral approach.
T R Baalu of the DMK raised concerns about the substantial costs associated with executing such a large-scale electoral process. Kalyan Banerje from the Trinamool Congress also expressed his belief that the proposed addition to the Constitution contradicts its current provisions.
Conversely, TDP’s Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani expressed support for the bill, affirming that his party is firmly behind the initiative. (Agencies)
