One Nation One Election bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha today

The contentious One Nation One Election bill is all set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha today (December 17) with the BJP issuing a three-line whip to its MPs to remain present in the house.

In Short

• Union Law Minister to introduce One Nation One Election bill
• BJP issues three-line whip to all Lok Sabha MPs for the tabling
• Opposition leaders criticise bill as 'anti-democratic' and 'authoritarian'

The BJP-led central government will table the contentious 'One Nation One Election' Bill in Lok Sabha today, December 17, a government statement said.

The government has announced that Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to introduce two significant bills in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. These include the ONOP Bill, officially titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

In view of the tabling of the bill, the BJP has issued a three-line whip to all MPs in Lok Sabha.

After the introduction of the bill, one of the BJP's long-standing poll promises, in Parliament, Meghwal is likely to request Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a Joint Committee of Parliament for wider consultations.

The joint panel will be formed on a pro rata basis, reflecting the proportional strength of MPs from various political parties. According to a party official, the BJP, being the largest party, will hold the chairmanship of the committee and secure multiple member positions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will announce the committee's composition by Tuesday evening.

Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin have opposed the idea of simultaneous polls in the country, calling the bill "anti-democratic" and an authoritarian move designed to "undermine India's democracy".

Accepting suggestions from the Ram Nath Kovind Committee's report, the Centre has decided to implement the 'One Nation One Election' bill in two phases. The first phase will see Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together, while the second phase will entail local body polls (panchayat and municipalities) within 100 days of general elections.

Speaking at Agenda Aaj Tak in his first media interaction after the BJP's Lok Sabha win, Union Home Minister Amit Shah pitched for 'One Nation One Election', dismissing claims by the opposition that bill undermines the principles of federalism.

"One Nation One Election is not a new thing. Three elections in this country were conducted under the One Nation One Election method. In 1952, all elections were held simultaneously. In 1957, although elections were scheduled for different dates, the assemblies of eight states were dissolved, enabling simultaneous elections. Even after this, the third election was conducted largely following the One Nation, One Election approach," Amit Shah said.