Lok Sabha approves extension for Joint Committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday approved an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to submit its report on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill until the first day of the last week of the 2025 winter session.

The motion, moved by JPC chairman PP Chaudhary, covers the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

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The bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and were referred to the Joint Committee of both Houses for further examination.

The JPC has since held several rounds of meetings exploring the views and ideas of legal experts, including presentations from former Chief Justice of India Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud.

The extension will now allow the committee to more elaborately explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and submit its report by the first day of the last week of the Winter Session.

“One Nation, One Election”, also known as simultaneous elections, proposes aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This would allow voters to cast their ballots for both tiers of government on the same day in their constituencies, though voting could still occur in phases across the country. By synchronising these electoral timelines, the approach aims to address logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections.

The High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections in India, released in 2024, provided a comprehensive roadmap for implementing this vision. Its recommendations were accepted by the Union Cabinet on 18th September 2024, marking a significant step towards electoral reform. The committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recommended a two-phase approach for simultaneous elections. Phase one involves synchronising Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections, while Phase two would synchronise Municipality and Panchayat elections within 100 days of the first phase. The committee also suggested a single electoral roll and EPIC for all three tiers.

Proponents argue that such a system could enhance administrative efficiency, reduce election-related expenditures, and promote policy continuity.

As India aspires to streamline governance and optimise its democratic processes, the concept of “One Nation, One Election” has emerged as a key reform requiring thoughtful deliberation and consensus.