NEW DELHI: The first meeting of the 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘one nation, one election’ is scheduled for Jan 8, indicating the govt’s urgency in pushing forward the contentious proposal despite significant opposition.
Sources said law ministry officials will brief the panel on key features of the bill, highlighting how the country will benefit.
The panel, led by BJP‘s P P Chaudhary, aims to delve into the implications and benefits of synchronising elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Two bills, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were introduced in Lok Sabha in the final days of the winter session of Parliament to kickstart the legislative process.
However, it encountered fierce resistance from opposition parties at the tabling stage and the bills were accepted only after voting even as the govt was vocal about its advocacy to refer the bill to a JPC.
Home minister Amit Shah, in his brief intervention when the bills were being tabled, said PM Narendra Modi was clear about referring the bills to the parliamentary panel. The bills were adopted by Lok Sabha with 269 votes in favour and 198 against.
The lack of support, however, highlighted the govt’s challenge as a constitutional amendment requires two-thirds majority in both Houses.
Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK and others, have criticised the legislations as an assault on federalism and the democratic ethos of India. They also pointed to logistical challenges, including the need for extensive constitutional amendments and procurement of electronic voting machines on a massive scale.
The JPC will have 90 days to scrutinise the legislation, review feedback and propose recommendations. The govt’s argument for simultaneous elections centres on reducing the financial and administrative burden of frequent polls, minimising disruptions to governance, and allowing more focus on development rather than perpetual electioneering.