The Union government is set to introduce a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, aiming to establish a framework for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The bill proposes a mechanism for the Election Commission to recommend holding Assembly elections at a later date if they cannot coincide with the Lok Sabha polls.
The bill has already stirred controversy, with leaders like M.K. Stalin and Mamata Banerjee opposing it, citing concerns over legislative competence. The proposal seeks to amend multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 82A, 83, 172, and 327, to facilitate simultaneous elections. The bill is expected to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further deliberation.