One Nation, One Election’ Bills: What Happened In The Lok Sabha & What The Rules Say

The controversial “One Nation, One Election” Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after a heated division. The voting saw 269 members favoring the introduction, while 198 opposed it. Opposition members from the INDIA bloc strongly objected to the move.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal assured the House that the government is willing to send the Bills to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed examination.

Several Opposition MPs filed notices opposing the Bills’ introduction, citing rules under Clauses 72(1) and 72(2) of the Lok Sabha’s procedures. These clauses allow members to oppose a Bill’s introduction by giving prior notice.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the government’s action, highlighting the BJP’s inability to secure a two-thirds majority. He said, “The votes today have demonstrated that the BJP does not have the two-thirds majority required to pass a constitutional amendment.”

Tharoor also questioned the rationale behind the proposal. “Why should a state government fall if the Central government falls?” he asked, calling the initiative a violation of India’s federal structure.

Article 368 of the Constitution lays out the process for amendments. It states that an amendment Bill must be passed by a majority of the total membership and at least two-thirds of members present and voting in each House of Parliament. Only then can it be sent to the President for approval.

Parliamentary experts MN Kaul and SL Shakdher explain that a special majority is required at every effective stage of the Bill. However, motions like referring the Bill to a Select or Joint Committee require only a simple majority.

Rules 157 and 158 of the Lok Sabha procedures detail the voting process. Rule 157 specifies that any motion for considering or passing the Bill needs a majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of present members. Rule 158 mandates division voting in such cases, and the Speaker must confirm the result according to the outlined majority requirements.

This latest development has intensified the debate over the government’s push for simultaneous elections.