The Lok Sabha has approved an extension of the tenure of the parliamentary committee tasked with examining the proposed legislation on ‘one nation, one election.’ The decision was taken during the ongoing winter session, allowing the committee additional time to deliberate on the complex constitutional, legal, and logistical aspects of synchronising elections across the country.
The committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was constituted earlier to study the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Its mandate includes reviewing constitutional provisions, assessing the impact on federalism, and evaluating administrative preparedness for conducting nationwide polls at one time.
Officials noted that the extension was necessary given the wide-ranging consultations required with political parties, constitutional experts, and election authorities. The committee has already held multiple rounds of discussions but emphasized that further analysis is essential to ensure consensus and clarity before final recommendations are submitted.
The ‘one nation, one election’ proposal has been a subject of significant debate, with supporters arguing that it would reduce election-related expenditure, minimize policy disruptions, and strengthen governance. Critics, however, caution that it could undermine regional representation and pose challenges in cases of premature dissolution of assemblies.
With the extended timeline, the committee is expected to present its report in the coming months, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electoral reforms in India.
