Modi government's big decision on One Nation-One Election, preparations to bring three bills; know the plan

The central government is very serious about one country's election. The government is likely to bring three bills to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly, and local bodies. Two of these bills will be brought for constitutional amendment.

Recommendations of Kovind Committee

A Constitution Amendment Bill will be brought to conduct elections of local bodies along with Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. For this, the support of at least 50 percent of the states will be required. Moving forward on the plan of one country election, the Union Cabinet had approved the recommendations of the high-level committee constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind earlier this month.

First Constitution Amendment Bill

Sources said that the first Constitution Amendment Bill will be for conducting simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. An attempt will be made to amend Article 82A in the proposed bill. Sub-section (1) related to 'due date' will be added to it. In this bill, provision will be made for the term of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to end simultaneously.

No need for the support of states

New rules related to the term and dissolution of the Lok Sabha will also be included in this Constitution Amendment Bill. It also includes provisions related to the dissolution of assemblies. Provisions can be made to include the words 'simultaneous elections' by amending Article 327. This bill will not require the support of 50 percent of the states.

Second Constitution Amendment Bill

The second Constitution Amendment Bill will require the support of 50 percent of the state assemblies, as it is related to state affairs. Through this bill, provision will be made to prepare the voter list for the election of local bodies. For this, the Election Commission will have to consult with the State Election Commissions, after which the Election Commission will prepare the voter list.

Provision for conducting elections

Constitutionally, the Election Commission and the State Election Commission are different institutions. The Election Commission conducts elections for the President, Vice President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and State Legislative Councils. The State Election Commission conducts elections for local bodies like municipalities and panchayats. The proposed second Constitution Amendment Bill will add a new Article 324A to provide for elections to municipalities and panchayats along with elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Third Bill Ordinary

The third bill will be an ordinary bill, which will relate to Union Territories with assemblies like Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. It will amend the provisions of three laws so that the conditions of these houses can be brought in line with other assemblies and the Lok Sabha.

The laws proposed to be amended in this are the National Capital Territory of Delhi Government Act-1991, the Union Territory Government Act-1963, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act-2019.

The proposed bill will be an ordinary law, which will not require amendment to the Constitution. It will also not require the support of the state assemblies.