clause & effect
Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 & Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
[Simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State / Union Territory Assemblies]
Background
Since Independence till 1967, elections to Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies have been held simultaneously. Subsequently, due to premature dissolution of either Lok Sabha or some States, this practice was abandoned.
- In September 2023, the Government of India (‘GOI’) constituted a High-Level Committee headed by former President of India to (i) study the feasibility and (ii) suggest a framework, for conducting simultaneous elections to Parliament, Assemblies and local bodies.
- In March 2024, the Committee submitted its Report to the President of India, after extensive interaction with all stakeholders and the public.
- In December 2024, the Government of India introduced two Bills in the Lok Sabha intending to revert to the original practice of “One Nation, One Poll”, both of which necessitate amendment of the Constitution of India. Based on the findings of the Committee’s Report and on the affirmative response from the majority of public respondents, GOI Ministry of Law and Justice introduced the Bills in Lok Sabha.
- The two Bills were then referred to a Standing Committee for its recommendations.
Essential Features
- The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024
On the ‘appointed date’ i.e. on the first working day of Parliament held after any Lok Sabha election, President of India can issue a notification proclaiming this Bill to come into existence. - The terms of all State Assemblies for which elections are held after the ‘appointed date’ shall expire when the full term of Lok Sabha expires. Thereafter, elections to Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies shall be held simultaneously (for the prescribed term of five years, as before).
- If Lok Sabha or a State Assembly is dissolved for any reason prior to expiry of its full term, elections to these houses shall be held for the remainder period of the five-year term, reckoned from ‘appointed date’ i.e. date of the Presidential notification enacting the Bill.
- If the Election Commission of India [ECI] is of the opinion that election to any State Assembly cannot be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha and other State Assemblies for any reason, the President of India, on the recommendation of ECI, can order the election to be postponed to a later date.
- Such postponed Assembly elections, when held at a later date, shall be for the remainder period of the Lok Sabha.
- Conduct of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies shall be done after completion of the ‘delimitation of constituencies’ process.
- Elections to Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and all other Local Bodies are to be excluded from the purview of this Bill.
Note: This Bill intends to amend Articles 82, 83, 172 and 327 of the Indian Constitution, by inserting these provisions broadly described in points 1 to 7 above in these Articles. - The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
This Bill intends to amend the existing Constitutional provisions governing Union Territories, National Capital Region and Jammu & Kashmir, to facilitate simultaneous elections along with Lok Sabha and all the State Assemblies.
Key Issues raised by the Bill(s)
- Stability v/s Accountability – This is the core issue arising from this Bill. While it is not possible for any electoral system to ensure both in equal proportion, accountability should ideally take precedence over stability for any country believing in democracy.
- Shortened Terms of Governments – This will become a regular feature in the ‘simultaneous elections’ system, the consequences of which will include (i) ineffective governance (ii) voter non-participation.
- State Assembly Elections – Postponement of elections to a State Assembly is presently governed by the provisions of Article 356, namely (i) imposition of President’s Rule (ii) declaration of an Emergency in the state or the nation, both of which require Parliament’s approval. This Bill dispenses with these two provisions and allows postponement of an Assembly election at the sole discretion of the ECI without specifying the prerequisite circumstances for such postponement. Also not specified is the ‘time limit’ permissible for such postponement, thus rendering the State’s governance ambiguous and vulnerable.
- Quantum of Expenditure – Official data gathered by Parliamentary Standing Committees over decades show that the expenditure on elections is an insignificant fraction of GDP, giving rise to the question whether this Bill is justified on grounds of expenditure.
- Administrative & Logistical Challenges – Conducting simultaneous elections will be a huge challenge for the administration in terms of manpower, paraphernalia and logistics.
- Voter Behaviour – This is another vital aspect of elections for which there can be no predictions, especially with the present population, demography and voter aspirations.
THE BILL(S) ARE NOW UNDER EXAMINATION BY THE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE.
Economic & Fiscal Estimates / Projections
₹7 Lakh Crore:
The estimated total public and administrative savings over time if simultaneous polls are implemented, according to findings scrutinized by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
1.6% GDP Boost:
The projected increase in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to enhanced policy continuity, reduced economic disruption, and lower inflation.
₹7,951 Crore:
The estimated initial budget required by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a massive procurement surge of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs ahead of a synchronized cycle.
Logistical & Administrative Workforce
26 Lakh Personnel:
The total estimated reduction in polling staff needed across a 5-year cycle, effectively freeing up roughly 2.6 million teachers and public servants from recurring election duties. [1]
1.04 Crore Personnel-Days:
The net reduction in cumulative mandays obligated for training and deployment among polling officers. [1]
50% Security Surge:
The required localized increase in Central Security Forces, demanding over 470,000 security personnel to stand on duty simultaneously across the country. [1]
43 Days:
The duration of the 2024 general election timeline, which proponents argue will shrink dramatically under a synchronized format to counter prolonged implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). [1, 2, 3]
Extra EVM Inventory:
The ECI reports a technical requirement of 26.5 lakh more ballot units, 17.8 lakh more control units, and 17.8 lakh more VVPATs to pull off simultaneous voting. [1]
Political & Public Sentiment
80% Citizen Affirmation:
Out of more than 21,500 responses received by the high-level Kovind Committee, four-fifths of the citizens voted in favor of simultaneous elections.
32 out of 47 Political Parties:
A total of 32 political parties formally supported the ONOE concept during expert consultations, while 15 regional and national opposition parties expressed dissent.
269 vs 198 Votes:
The legislative tally in the Lok Sabha when the initial ONOE-related bills were introduced and forwarded to the JPC for thorough vetting.
72% Turnout Optimism:
In national media public opinion polls, 72% of respondents stated that unified polling windows would directly improve overall voter turnout and address voter fatigue.
