The much-anticipated ‘One Nation, One Election’ bills, which seek to facilitate simultaneous elections across India, are unlikely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, 16 December, as per the revised list of business issued by the lower house of Parliament.
The two bills, The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were approved by the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday.
Initially listed for introduction by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the bills were removed from Monday's agenda without any official explanation.
Instead, the Lok Sabha is set to deliberate on The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2024, and The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024.
Sources indicate that the government may introduce the bills later this week, following the completion of financial business, including discussions on the first batch of supplementary demands for grants.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of presenting the bills through the 'Supplementary List of Business' with the Speaker’s approval.
The proposed legislation aligns with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s long-standing agenda and seeks to synchronise elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
Once passed, elections for these bodies would be held in the same year, though not necessarily on the same day.
A high-level panel chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind had submitted a report in March, recommending a phased implementation of simultaneous elections.
It suggested starting with Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, followed by local body elections within 100 days. The panel’s report noted that the initiative could "transform the electoral process."
The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which began on 25 November, is scheduled to conclude on 20 December.
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