NEW DELHI: Former judges and constitutional experts are divided over the proposal to hold concurrent elections to state assemblies and Parliament, with one section saying it aligns with constitutional principles while the other warn of potential threats to democracy.
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. If any assembly is dissolved during this period, mid-term polls would be held only for the remaining term.
"The objective of holding simultaneous elections seems to be correct. Personally, there is nothing wrong with it," former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi said. Referring to India's electoral history, he pointed out that simultaneous polls were the norm in the decades after Independence.
"This will give more time for governments to focus on development, infrastructure and welfare activities that can take the country forward."
He addressed concerns about the current electoral pattern where state elections draw national leaders for campaigns.
"By holding simultaneous elections, top party leaders will not be going to every state. You must balance the demand of people with the interest of economy and development..."
Senior advocate and constitutional expert Rakesh Dwivedi supported this view. "We should not become a nation of elections. There are practical problems in holding elections throughout the year. These issues have been addressed by this law," he said.
Dwivedi dismissed concerns about constitutional challenges.
"This bill certainly does not destroy or abridge the basic structure of the Constitution. It preserves federalism and democracy as the five-year tenure of assembly and the holding of separate elections, remain preserved."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 18, 2024 من Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 18, 2024 من Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A Konkan village empties Out every four years to rejuvenate it
As part of 500-yr-old practice, villagers exit Achara for a few days to let its natural resources revive
Wrong side driving kills 7-yr-old boy
MUMBAI: A boy in Borivali East was hit by a Mahindra Scorpio allegedly being driven on the wrong side of the road on Saturday. The child was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
MOVE AGAINST FEDERALISM, WILL ALTER BASIC STRUCTURE: OPPN
Opposition leaders on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the bills introduced in the Lok Sabha that propose simultaneous elections to the Lower House and state assemblies, arguing that the legislation undermines federalism, violates the Constitution's basic structure, was introduced without adequate consultation with states and envisions an impractical scenario.
BJP govts to soon bring UCC in every state: Shah
NEW DELHI: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implemented by Uttarakhand is a model law that will be debated widely and then the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments will bring a common civil code in all states,
ONOP will test govt's ability to muster up two-thirds majority
NEW DELHI: The NDA government's ambitious plan for simultaneous national and state polls could be a test of its ability to muster the requisite numbers as it doesn't have a two-thirds majority needed to push through a Constitution amendment under Article 368 in the Lok Sabha.
'One election' bill tabled in House, may be sent to JPC
NEW DELHI: The Union government on Tuesday introduced in the Lok Sabha two bills aimed at ushering in simultaneous state and national elections amid loud protests by the Opposition — taking the first step towards implementing sweeping changes in the way polls are conducted in the world's largest democracy.
China building villages near Doklam in Bhutan: Sat data
NEW DELHI: China has built at least 22 villages and settlements over the past eight years within territory that has traditionally been part of Bhutan, with eight villages coming up in areas in proximity to the strategic Doklam plateau since 2020, according to satellite imagery.
67% sanitation workers from SC communities: Centre to LS
NEW DELHI: Two-thirds of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) in urban local bodies across India, surveyed by the Union government, come from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, the Centre informed Parliament on Tuesday.
How the challenge of batting in Oz changed
KOOKABURRA RELEASED A REDESIGNED BALL FOR TESTS IN 2021 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE GAME MORE EXCITING, BUT IT HAS ONLY MADE BATTING MORE DIFFICULT
Grit in the tail frustrates the hosts, India avoid follow-on
Like in 2021, there was defiance in the damp air of Gabba as Deep and Bumrah steer India towards a likely draw on Day 4
