Parliament Panel to Visit All States on ‘One Nation, One Poll’ for Wider Consultation

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining proposals for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies has intensified efforts to build consensus, even as the idea faces growing political and constitutional scrutiny.

The panel, chaired by P. P. Chaudhary, plans to visit states and Union Territories to gather wider feedback. The move follows recommendations of the high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which studied the feasibility of synchronised elections and suggested key constitutional amendments.

The Kovind committee, constituted in September 2023, recommended a phased implementation of simultaneous elections, highlighting benefits such as reduced expenditure, streamlined governance, and better utilisation of administrative machinery. It also proposed a single electoral roll and synchronisation of election cycles, requiring significant constitutional changes.

Supporters argue that frequent elections lead to disruptions , policy delays , and economic strain , while a unified system could improve governance , efficiency , and resource utilisation . The government has maintained that the reform would reduce repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct , which often stalls development work.

However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and experts. Critics argue that simultaneous elections could weaken federalism , marginalise regional parties , and centralise political power. Concerns have also been raised about logistical challenges, including conducting elections across a vast and diverse country in a single phase.

Legal experts remain divided. While some view the proposal as constitutionally viable, others caution that frequent adjustments to assembly tenures may undermine democratic principles. There are also apprehensions that voter behaviour could shift, favouring national issues over local concerns.

The JPC, whose tenure has been extended till the upcoming Monsoon Session, is continuing consultations with stakeholders, including legal experts and academics. Its recommendations are expected to shape the future course of electoral reforms in the country.

As the debate intensifies, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal stands at a crossroads—hailed by proponents as a transformative reform, yet questioned by critics over its long-term implications for India’s democratic and federal structure.