India, July 2 -- The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' framework held consultations with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta during its visit to the national capital on Wednesday. The delegation, led by JPC Chairman and MP P.P. Chaudhary, discussed the constitutional, legal and administrative implications of synchronising Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The deliberations also covered electoral cycle integration, administrative preparedness and the possible impact on Delhi's governance framework. Also Read - Delhi court reserves verdict in wrestlers' sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan Chief Minister Rekha Gupta strongly supported the proposal, saying, "Holding simultaneous elections across the country is the need of the hour and there could be no better arrangement." She said conducting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together would save "considerable time, energy and resources" while reducing repeated disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct. Highlighting Delhi's experience, the Chief Minister said frequent elections divert government staff from essential public services, including education. She added, "If aligning election schedules at the national level requires a suitable adjustment in Delhi's tenure, the Delhi Government is willing to consider it with a positive approach." She further said the government would submit detailed written suggestions to the committee after studying all aspects of the proposed legislation. Addressing the committee at the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Speaker Vijender Gupta stressed that constitutional reforms should emerge through broad consultations. He observed that while simultaneous elections were common in the early decades after Independence, political developments led to separate electoral cycles over time. He said, "Frequent elections entail substantial administrative and financial costs, repeatedly bring the Model Code of Conduct into operation and affect the continuity of governance and development programmes." He also underlined that "any reform must rest on broad political consensus and robust constitutional safeguards," while suggesting a detailed examination of issues such as constructive votes of no-confidence, premature dissolution of legislatures, harmonisation of electoral rolls and strengthening the Election Commission's logistical preparedness.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.