The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills paving way for simultaneous elections is unlikely to be introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16, Monday, according to the revised list of business in the lower house of Parliament.

The two bills that were approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet on Thursday include, The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The bills pave way for unified elections across the nation. Earlier, the two bills were mentioned to be introduced in the Lok Sabha for introduction against Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal in the list of business for December 16. But the ‘revised’ list of business uploaded on the Lok Sabha website later does not feature the two bills.

The government plans to introduced the bills in the ongoing winter session Parliament before referring then to theJoint Parliamentary Committee(JPC) for wider scrutiny, according to sources.

The bills that pave way for unified elections across the nation has been on the agenda of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for quite some time now.

The Winter Session of ParliamentOne Nation, One Election‘ bills may be introduced in the Lok Sabha later this week, after completion of financial business, including the passage of the first batch of supplementary demands for grants, which are listed for discussion on Monday, according to reports.

The bills that are mentioned to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday include The Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2024 and The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024.

The government, however, has an option of bringing in legislative proposals through ‘Supplementary List of Business‘ with the Speaker’s permission.

What is ‘One Nation, One Election’?

One passed in the Parliament, the Lok Sabha, the Assembly, and the local body (urban or rural) elections will be held in the same year, if not at the same time.

The high-level panel headed by former president Ram Nath KovindAssembly polls together. Local body elections will be held within 100 days, the panel recommended.

The panel said in the report that simultaneous elections could ‘transform the electoral process.’

MK Stalin slammed the Union Cabinet for approving bill to amend the Constitution to implement “one nation, one election” bill calling it ‘impractical and anti-democratic’

He posted on X, The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.

“Rise up INDIA! Let us resist this attack on Indian Democracy with all our strength!” he went on to add.

The Union Cabinet approved two bills on Thursday, including one to amend the Constitution for implementing “one nation, one election.” These draft legislations are likely to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Currently, the Cabinet has approved holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies only.

A high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind had also recommended aligning local body elections with national and state polls. However, the Cabinet has decided not to include local body elections for now.

Opposition parties raised concerns over the bills and said larger consultations are required while ruling NDA leaders asserted the burden on the exchequer will be lessened.

INDIA bloc opposes ‘One nation, one election billl’

Opposition MPs questioned if the country is logistically ready to hold simultaneous elections, pointing out that recent polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand could not be held together with that in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

“One Nation one election sounds good, if the nation can go in that direction, nothing like it. But what is the reality? Is the Election Commission ready for it? Do we have enough forces, infrastructure?” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai said.

“J&K, and Haryana elections could have been held together with Maharashtra but it was not done. Even the Jharkhand election was held in two phases… If government has some solution it can be discussed, but in present situation it does not appear they can do it,” Desai said.

Congress Lok Sabha member K Suresh said his party has already made its stand clear, and it is opposed to simultaneous polls. “Our party has already cleared our stand from the beginning, our stand has not changed. We are opposing it. Entire opposition is opposing it,” he said.

am Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said, “There’s only one slogan of the Modi government that is ‘one nation, one Adani'”.

“He just wants a friend to sell India’s wealth and he is working for him. If there is one nation, one election, then what will happen when the government midway comes in minority. Won’t there be any mid term election?” Singh asked.