JPC on simultaneous polls begins 3-day Gujarat visit

A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the proposal for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies began its three-day visit to Gujarat on Tuesday to hold discussions with stakeholders and gather views on the issue.

The 41-member parliamentary panel, headed by BJP MP P P Chaudhary, is scrutinising two proposed legislations related to simultaneous elections -- The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.

The committee members arrived at GIFT City in Gandhinagar to hold discussions about simultaneous elections with state leaders, elected representatives and others.

Addressing reporters at the airport after arriving in Ahmedabad, Chaudhary said the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' was in the national interest and had received support from several institutions and committees.

''The concept of 'One Nation, One Election' is in the national interest. The Law Commission of India, headed by a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge, has also stated that simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies should be held,'' he said.

Chaudhary said NITI Aayog had also advocated simultaneous polls in its papers, while a Parliamentary Standing Committee comprising members from different political parties had endorsed the proposal.

''In light of all these considerations, it is evident that holding simultaneous elections is absolutely essential for the nation's welfare,'' he said.

The BJP leader credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the electoral reform process, and said the Centre had earlier constituted a committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue.

''It was PM Modi's foresight and vision that such electoral reforms are necessary. Consequently, he constituted a committee under the leadership of Ram Nath Kovind. In its report, this committee also recommended simultaneous elections,'' Chaudhary said.

According to the recommendations, elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies should be held together, while elections to panchayats and municipalities should be completed within 100 days of the parliamentary and assembly polls, he added.

Chaudhary said the committee was travelling across the country to interact with stakeholders and build a broad consensus before submitting its recommendations to Parliament.

''This committee comprises 41 members because it was considered essential to ensure representation from all political parties. We are visiting every state to engage with stakeholders and listen to all viewpoints,'' he said.

The panel has already visited Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka before arriving in Gujarat, he said.

''Our endeavour is to listen to everyone and take all viewpoints into account. When we submit our recommendations to Parliament, our primary objective will be to ensure that a broad consensus has emerged among all stakeholders,'' Chaudhary added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)