The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘One Nation, One Election’ held a crucial meeting on Tuesday, where members displayed a “positive attitude” and worked as a team, according to Committee Chairman PP Chaudhary.
Speaking after the meeting at Parliament House Annexe, Chaudhary said the session was productive, with members engaging constructively. “It was a good meeting. All members had a positive attitude. Justice Awasthi gave a presentation, followed by former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit. Their presentations were well-received, and members’ queries were addressed,” he said.
Expressing appreciation for the committee’s cooperative approach, Chaudhary added, “I thank all members for their positive attitude and for asking questions in the national interest. Doubts were cleared… We are working as a team.”
The Constitution Amendment Bill on ‘One Nation, One Election’, under review by the JPC, seeks to synchronise the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, streamlining the electoral process. The government argues that aligning election cycles will reduce logistical challenges, cut costs, and prevent governance disruptions caused by frequent polls.
However, several opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, have strongly opposed the proposal, citing concerns over federalism and democratic representation.
The initiative gained momentum after the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections on September 18, 2024. The JPC held its first meeting on January 8 to examine the proposed legislation.
(Inputs from ANI)