"Bill is in line with Constitution": JPC Chairperson PP Chaudhary on meeting over 'One Nation One Election'

New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): On the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting with former CJI Sanjiv Khanna over 'One Nation One Election', BJP MP and JPC Chairperson, PP Chaudhary, on Tuesday, said that it was agreed that this bill is in line with the Indian Constitution.
Speaking to ANI, BJP MP said, "Former CJI Sanjiv Khanna interacted with the members of the committee over One Nation One Election...It was agreed that this Bill is in line with the Indian Constitution. The committee is examining the Bill to ensure all possible improvements are made, and then a recommendation will be given to the Parliament. Sanjiv Khanna interacted with the members for around 3 hours..."
The JPC on "One Nation, One Election" was scheduled to have an interaction with former Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, today. The JPC on ONOE aims to explore the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Previously, the JPC has heard from distinguished academics and former lawmakers who emphasised the benefits of ONOE, including reduced policy paralysis, improved governance, and streamlined electoral processes.
The proposed bills aim to amend the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous elections, including changes to Articles 82, 83, 172, and 327. The 39-member committee includes 27 Lok Sabha MPs and 12 Rajya Sabha MPs, representing various parties, such as BJP, Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Critics, including opposition parties, have raised concerns about the potential erosion of federalism, state autonomy, and regional voices.
Earlier, on August 12, the Lok Sabha accepted a motion to extend the tenure for the JPC's report on the 'One Nation, One Election Bill'.The extension allowed the committee to submit its findings by the first day of the last week of the Winter Session in 2025.
The motion was moved by PP Chaudhary. He requested the House to allow the JPC more time to present the report on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
"That this House do extend time for the presentation of the Report of the Joint Committee on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment ) Bill, 2024" upto the first day of the last week of the Winter Session, 2025.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024. The bills were sent to the Joint Committee of both Houses for further examination.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 'One Nation One Election' Bill interacted with political scientists and academicians on Monday. Panel chairman PP Chaudhary stated that the members raised questions and sought clarifications, and the experts conveyed that it is "very important" to have simultaneous polls. The panel has been holding regular interactions on the bill.
"Today, we consulted with political scientists, whose input is also very important. There were many questions, and we have asked them for clarification. They emphasised that from their perspective, it is crucial to have ONOE in the country... If we want the country to develop, then it is crucial to have One Nation One Election...Former Chief Justice of India Justice Khanna is also coming on the 19th. He will also give us inputs about this," PP Chaudhary told ANI.
He had said earlier in the day that 'One Nation, One Election' is very important for nation-building. (ANI)