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Indian Parliament Passes 'One Nation, One Election' Bill with 269 Votes, Set for 2029

Dec 17, 2024, 08:07 AM

The Indian Parliament has introduced the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, aiming to synchronize national and state elections, with the Lok Sabha passing the legislation by a vote of 269 in favor and 198 against. This historic move, proposed by Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeks to amend the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous polls, with the first such elections set to occur after the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029. The Bill, which has stirred significant debate, proposes the addition of Article 82A to the Constitution, allowing the President to notify an 'appointed date' for the commencement of this electoral alignment. Despite opposition from parties like Congress, DMK, and AIMIM, who argue that the Bill undermines federalism, the government, supported by BJP allies like TDP and Shiv Sena, insists it will streamline the electoral process, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the Bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultation, a proposal that has been met with mixed reactions.