Explained: Constitutional Amendments Required for 'One Nation, One Election'

The Union Cabinet has accepted recommendations for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, but its implementation requires significant changes to the Indian Constitution. At least five key Articles need to be amended to facilitate simultaneous elections across the country. However, achieving this will not be easy for the government, as these amendments require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Key Constitutional Amendments Required: Representation of the People Act: The current act allows elections to be held within six months before the scheduled dissolution of the House. This act needs to be amended to align the terms of state assemblies with the election schedule. More than 15 state assemblies would need to be dissolved prematurely to align their elections with the Lok Sabha.

Articles 83(2) and 172: These articles define the five-year terms for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Amending them would allow reconstituted assemblies, after dissolution, to serve terms shorter than five years to synchronize with future simultaneous elections.

Provisions for Union Territories: Amendments are also required in laws governing legislative assemblies in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir to align their elections with the national schedule.

Article 356 and Articles 85, 174: Article 356 allows the imposition of President’s Rule and dissolution of state governments. Amendments could prevent premature dissolutions, and changes to Articles 85 and 174 would allow the President or Governor to dissolve Houses in sync with the new electoral system.

Article 325: This amendment would introduce a Single Electoral Roll and a Single Voter Identity Card, giving the Election Commission more control over voter lists in consultation with State Election Commissions, superseding individual state provisions.

Article 324A: A new article, 324A, would be added to ensure simultaneous elections for panchayats and municipalities along with national and state elections.

These amendments are essential for implementing 'One Nation, One Election' but will require broad political consensus and legal reforms.

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