India
One Nation, One Election Bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday – Times of India
Meghwal will introduce the Constitution (129th Amendment) and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill. These draft laws are intended to allow for simultaneous elections across the country. While one bill focuses on amending the Constitution to allow for synchronized polls, the other proposes amendments to bring the laws in the Union Territories in line with the constitutional amendment.
A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind was tasked with evaluating its feasibility. Although the committee proposed to include municipal and panchayat elections in a phased manner, the government has chosen not to address local body elections in the current proposal.
The initiative has sparked a political debate, with sharp divisions between the ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition parties. The BJP and its allies, including JD(U) and LJP, have expressed strong support, highlighting the proposal’s potential to reduce costs, ensure policy continuity and increase governance efficiency. BJP MP Anil Baluni praised the move and said, “The proposed bill will strengthen the country’s democracy and pave the way for development.” JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, a long-time supporter of the idea, echoed similar sentiments and called it a necessary reform to streamline governance and avoid disruptions due to frequent elections.
Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc, including Congress, AAP and Trinamool Congress, have raised concerns over the impact of simultaneous polls on regional autonomy and electoral fairness. They argue that this move could centralize power and undermine federal principles.
The Kovind-led panel assessed electoral systems in countries such as Germany, Indonesia and Japan, noting that simultaneous elections could bring administrative stability, encourage voter participation and potentially increase GDP by as much as 1.5%. Former President Kovind described the initiative as “a game changer” for Indian democracy.
