Simultaneous poll Bills to be tabled in LS tomorrow

The government has listed “one nation, one election” Bills for introduction in the Lok Sabha on December 16.

In the legislative Bill business segment, the Lok Sabha schedule for Monday says: “Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will move to introduce the Constitution 129th amendment Bill.” Another Bill titled the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill-2024 has also been listed against Meghwal’s name for introduction. This seeks to amend the Government of UTs Act, 1963; the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991; and the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2020. The Constitution amendment Bill will provide for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, and state and UT Assemblies while the other Bill will ensure the tenures of UT Assemblies can be changed to synchronise with the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies.

The Cabinet had two days ago approved the “one nation, one election” reform and the legislation required to moot it. India witnessed simultaneous polls during the first three parliamentary elections till 1962. Subsequently, the emergency provision contained in Article 356 was used to dissolve state Assemblies before the expiry of their tenure.