The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Bill proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, aiming to synchronize election cycles and streamline governance.
It introduces Article 82(A) and amends Articles 83, 172, and 327, with changes set to take effect after the 2029 general elections, aiming for simultaneous elections by 2034.
A second Bill, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will align the tenure of Union Territories' legislative Assemblies with the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Challenges to Representative Democracy
The ONOE reform aims for administrative efficiency but raises concerns about inclusivity and representativeness in Indian democracy.
Representative democracy, is under increasing scrutiny globally, with citizens’ disillusionment growing due to perceived inefficiencies and corruption in political systems.
India's representative system faces criticism for fragmentation, centralization of power, and the high costs of elections, as highlighted by Jayaprakash Narayan in his 1959 critique.
Lapses in the Public Consultation Process
The ONOE process lacked meaningful public consultation: citizens had only 10 days to respond to a public notice
it goes against the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014, requiring a minimum 30-day consultation period.
There was a lack of explanatory material, which would have helped citizens understand the scope of the reform.
The high-level committee sought only yes/no responses, suggesting the matter was already decided.
These procedural issues risk undermining public trust in the reform process, as important stakeholders may feel excluded.
Implications for Democratic Values
Simultaneous elections might concentrate power at the national level, sidelining state-specific issues and weakening the federal structure of India.
Rushed reforms without proper consultation risk alienating citizens and reducing their participation in the democratic process.
While frequent elections promote accountability, holding elections simultaneously might dilute the frequency and direct evaluation of individual state governments, impacting voter engagement.
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