Priyanka Gandhi, Anurag Thakur join 21-member JPC on ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative
The government has formed a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to review the legislative framework for the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election.’ The committee includes 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members, representing various political parties.
On Tuesday, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bills in Parliament. The JPC will examine these Bills, including The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These aim to amend the Constitution and related laws to enable simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
Key members of the JPC include Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Anurag Singh Thakur, P.P. Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, and Dr. Sambit Patra. The panel will address the logistical and constitutional challenges of implementing the concept.
The government advocates ‘One Nation, One Election’ as a measure to reduce election costs and ensure efficient governance. However, Opposition parties strongly oppose it, citing risks to democratic diversity and regional autonomy. They argue that simultaneous elections could benefit the ruling party and weaken regional voices in the democratic process.
The Bills faced resistance during their introduction in Parliament. Despite opposition, 269 members voted in favor of the introduction, while 196 opposed it.
The idea of holding simultaneous elections has been a long-standing proposal. Supporters argue it streamlines governance and reduces the frequency of elections. However, critics believe it undermines the federal structure and may centralize power.
The JPC’s findings will play a crucial role in shaping the future of this controversial proposal. Meanwhile, the debate continues as the nation watches the developments closely.
