Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will table the constitutional amendment legislation and introduce the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ (ONOP) Bill in Lok Sabha on Monday.
The ONOP won’t be a reality until 2034 when Lok Sabha and assembly elections can be held concurrently, as the bill states that the amendments will take effect on a date that the President will designate at the “first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election.” Since the first Lok Sabha sitting was held in June of this year following the 2024 elections, the “appointed date” can only be set during the first session following the general elections in 2029.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted a report that sparked the latest developments on the “One Nation, One Election” issue. Kovind emphasized the need for consensus-building, stating that this initiative transcends party interests and serves the nation. He noted that implementing “One Nation, One Election” will be a game-changer, citing economists’ predictions that it will boost India’s GDP by 1-1.5%
