Parliamentary panel plans nationwide consultations on ‘one nation one election’

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the One Nation One Election Bills is preparing for an extensive public awareness and consultation campaign, including engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders - from students and legal experts to industry leaders and celebrities.

The committee, chaired by BJP MP P P Chaudhary, held its second meeting on Friday to discuss the framework for reviewing the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Members deliberated on outreach plans, which include essay-writing and debate competitions in schools and colleges, as well as consultations with former Chief Justices of India.

Chaudhary described the discussions as “positive”, stating that the panel aims to visit all states to interact with stakeholders.

A preliminary list of 23 categories of stakeholders has been drawn up, covering political parties, retired judges, the Election Commission (both current and former members), industry and trade unions, management institutes, think tanks, political analysts, and election strategists. The committee also plans to seek inputs from celebrities and the entertainment industry.

To facilitate public participation, a dedicated website will be launched to collect opinions and suggestions on the proposed legislation.

However, opposition parties, including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have expressed strong reservations, arguing that the Bills have yet to be passed in Parliament.

The Bills, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024, propose synchronising Lok Sabha and State/Union Territory Assembly elections to streamline the electoral process and governance stability. The committee’s efforts now aim to gauge public sentiment before further legislative action.