Joint parliamentary committee chairman P.P. Chaudhary stated that with a constitutional amendment and state governments' consent, Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections can be held together in 2029 under the ‘One Nation, One Election’ agenda.

  • Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill must pass by 2028
  • State governments and chief ministers' approval are essential
  • Simultaneous polls could cut costs and free up school time

Chairman of the joint parliamentary panel, BJP MP P.P. Chaudhary, told reporters that if the 129th constitutional amendment is approved in Parliament by 2028, the rollout of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative can commence in 2029. The move is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda to synchronize national and state elections.

Path to Constitutional Change

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were referred to a 31‑member joint committee after opposition demanded broader scrutiny. Chaudhary heads this committee, which is tasked with examining the bills in detail.

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Role of State Governments

Chaudhary emphasized, “States decide when to dissolve their assemblies. If state ministries favour ‘One Nation, One Election’, simultaneous polls are constitutionally permissible.” He added that the Indian Constitution empowers states to hold elections concurrently with the Lok Sabha.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that synchronized elections could reduce administrative expenditure by up to 30 % and free up significant time in government schools currently spent on election duties, thereby benefiting the nation’s youth.

"Simultaneous elections would bring stability to the democratic process and ensure continuity for development," said political scientist Dr. Anita Singh.

Historical Background

From the first general elections of 1951‑52 through 1967, India conducted Lok Sabha and all state legislative assembly elections simultaneously. The practice was disrupted in 1968‑69 due to premature dissolutions of several state assemblies, and only a handful of Lok Sabha terms have completed the full five‑year tenure since then.

Did You Know?: India’s first synchronized elections were held immediately after the inaugural census of 1951.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Are all states mandated to hold simultaneous elections?
Answer: No, each state’s government and chief minister must consent.

Question 2: How much cost savings could the plan generate?
Answer: Experts estimate a reduction of 20‑30 % in election‑related administrative expenses.