The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the government’s flagship “One Nation, One Election” initiative has scheduled two crucial meetings on December 10 and December 17 to gather expert advice on the proposed legislative reforms.
File Photo
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the government’s flagship “One Nation, One Election” initiative has scheduled two crucial meetings on December 10 and December 17 to gather expert advice on the proposed legislative reforms.
The committee, chaired by P P Chaudhary, is tasked with the detailed examination of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, both central to synchronizing national and state elections.
Advertisement
On December 10, the JPC will focus on the constitutional and operational aspects, seeking input from prominent legal minds and electoral authorities. Key advisors invited to present their views include Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, and representatives from the Election Commission of India.
Advertisement
A week later, on December 17, the committee will shift its focus to the economic and administrative implications of the proposed synchronized polls. Expert advice will be sought from Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Gita Gopinath, former First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’ and Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, former Chief Justice of India.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes a mechanism to ensure simultaneous elections:
Synchronization: It amends the Constitution to empower the ECI to conduct joint polls, with the process kicking off via a presidential notification following the first sitting of a new Lok Sabha. All State Assembly terms will subsequently align with the Lok Sabha’s five-year tenure.
Addressing Dissolution: In case of the early dissolution of the Lok Sabha or a State Assembly, the subsequent election will only be for the remainder of the five-year term to restore synchronization.
Deferral Authority: The Bill grants the ECI the power to recommend the deferral of a state election if simultaneous conduct is impractical, with the President issuing the final order. The deferred assembly’s term will then align with the next simultaneous cycle.
The complementary Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes necessary legislative changes in laws governing Union Territories, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.
Advertisement
