NEW DELHI: The One Nation One Election Bill (129th Constitutional Amendment), which provides for holding the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. A vote (269-198) was called for because the opposition unitedly opposed the bill, citing the collapse of the federal system. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the bill may be left to a joint parliamentary committee to reach a consensus.

A constitutional amendment bill can be passed only if there is a two-thirds majority. NDA has 293 members in the Lok Sabha and India Front has 234 members. 362 votes are required for a two-thirds majority in the 543-member House. YSR Congress (4) and Akali Dal (1) will support but that doesn't make a significant impact. The bill will be passed only if consensus is reached with the opposition.

An amendment bill to be implemented in the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry was also introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition objected when Speaker Om Birla invited Minister Meghwal to present the bill. The vote was taken after the discussion.

20 BJP members were not present in the House. The party issued a show cause notice to them. Allies TDP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) supported the bill.

The first vote using the electronic voting system in the new building went wrong. Some were unable to vote. Slip voting was done later.

129th Constitutional Amendment

• Article 82A (all seven sub-sections) is newly added
• In Article 83 (tenure of Parliament) four sub-sections
• Four changes in Article 172 (Term of Legislatures).
• In Article 327, along with re-delimitation of constituencies, the words 'holding elections together'

Interim Assembly in case of dissolution

Amendment of Article 83, 172: By-elections can be held if the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies are dissolved before the completion of five years. The new Assembly will be for the remaining period only.

Can be implemented in 2034 if passed

Section 82A(1) provides that the President shall issue a notification for a joint election at the first session of Parliament after the general election. That notification will happen only after the 2029 general elections. Elections can be held together in 2034.

"The objective is to simplify the selection process. No damage will be done to the constitution"

- Arjun Meghwal, Law Minister

An amendment that alters federalism and the structure of democracy cannot be allowed

- Manish Tiwari, Member of Congress

The two-thirds majority needed to pass a constitutional amendment is not there. There is a shortfall of about 70 votes.

- PDT Achari, Former Lok Sabha Secretary General