New Delhi: The central government’s bills proposing simultaneous elections across 28 states and eight union territories were on Friday referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), according to media reports.
The two bills were sent to the 39-member JPC just before the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the resolution recommending the referral, which was passed by a voice vote despite loud protests from the Opposition. The protests were directed at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his controversial remarks regarding BR Ambedkar, the Father of the Constitution.
The “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) bills, which include a proposed constitutional amendment, seek to synchronize the timing of Lok Sabha and state assembly elections across India. The bills were approved by the Union Cabinet last week and introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, sparking strong opposition from various parties. A total of 196 MPs opposed the introduction, while 269 members voted in favor.
Opposition parties, including those from the INDIA alliance such as Congress and AAP, argue that the proposal could disproportionately benefit the ruling party. However, several prominent NDA allies, including JD(U) and Chirag Paswan’s party, have voiced their support for the initiative.
The bills follow recommendations from a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee’s 18,626-page report suggested a phased approach to implementing simultaneous elections, with the first phase focusing on aligning Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, followed by local body elections within 100 days of the national and state polls.
