Fri Dec 20 06:02:13 UTC 2024: ## Joint Parliamentary Committee to Examine “One Nation, One Election” Proposal
**New Delhi:** A 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been formed to examine two constitutional amendment bills aiming to implement “One Nation, One Election” by 2034. This follows the conclusion of a turbulent winter session of Parliament marked by intense clashes between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
The bills, which seek to synchronize federal and state elections, were referred to the JPC on Friday. The committee includes representatives from both the ruling and opposition parties, with notable members such as Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, and BJP members Anurag Thakur and Sambit Patra. The committee’s composition has been expanded from 31 to accommodate smaller parties, though some key allies of the BJP remain absent.
The JPC will have 90 days to conduct consultations, which will include the Election Commission, on five proposed constitutional amendments. These amendments address the terms of Parliament and state legislatures, and the potential for presidential rule. The opposition has strongly criticized the proposal, arguing it undermines India’s federal structure and legislative independence. The BJP, however, maintains that simultaneous elections will offer economic benefits and prevent policy paralysis.
The “One Nation, One Election” concept aims to hold all national and state elections concurrently, a significant undertaking that requires extensive logistical planning and constitutional changes. Currently, elections are staggered across states, resulting in a continuous electoral cycle. Legal experts caution that the proposal’s success hinges on the passage of the constitutional amendments and the cooperation of all states.
First Piper 