By Ummar Jamal

On December 17, 2024, the Lok Sabha witnessed a significant legislative move with the introduction of two key bills: the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill, 2024. In a division vote, 269 members supported the bill’s introduction, while 196 opposed it. These bills seek to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipal bodies, and panchayats within 100 days of general elections, as recommended by a High-Level Committee (HLC).

The opposition voiced strong reservations, labeling the initiative an “assault” on the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Following which, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Arjun Ram Meghwal had suggested referring the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny. The JPC will have 90 days to review the bills however, it may request for an extension.

Historical Context of Simultaneous Elections in India

India’s tryst with simultaneous elections is not new. The country’s first general elections, held between October 25, 1951, and February 21, 1952, marked the initiation of a unified electoral process, wherein Lok Sabha and state assembly elections were conducted simultaneously. The elections were conducted over a span of 100 days, reflecting the logistical complexity of managing a nation as vast and diverse as India.

However, the model faced challenges early on. The reorganization of states and the premature dissolution of many state assemblies disrupted the synchronicity of elections. Although efforts were made to sustain this system, with simultaneous elections held in 1957, 1962, and 1967, the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 1970 and subsequent state-level disruptions led to the eventual fragmentation of this practice. By 1971, the unified electoral process had given way to staggered elections,........

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