Simultaneous Elections Achievable by 2029 if States Agree and Law Passes, Says Parliamentary Panel Chief

Conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies by 2029 under the ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework is achievable if constitutional changes are cleared by Parliament and accepted by state governments, according to P.P. Chaudhary, chairman of the parliamentary committee scrutinising the relevant draft legislation.

What Happened

Addressing reporters following a committee meeting, P.P. Chaudhary, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Rajasthan who heads the 31-member joint parliamentary committee, explained the operational timeline for synchronised polls. He stated that if the proposed constitutional amendments receive parliamentary approval by 2028, implementation of the unified electoral process could commence in that same year.

Mr. Chaudhary emphasised that the Union cannot mandate the premature dissolution of state legislative assemblies. Instead, individual states retain constitutional authority over the timing of their elections. For state polls to align with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, respective Chief Ministers and their Councils of Ministers must independently decide whether to synchronise their electoral schedules.

Key Highlights

• Legislative Review: The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, alongside the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were introduced in December 2024 and subsequently referred to the 31-member joint committee following requests from opposition lawmakers.
• High Approval Threshold: Constitutional amendment bills require approval from a two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass. The committee chief recalled that another constitutional measure, the delimitation-linked women reservation bill, was defeated in the Lok Sabha in April after missing the required threshold.
• Public Outreach: Mr. Chaudhary reported that committee delegations visited 10 states to consult civil society and citizens, asserting that 99 per cent of respondents expressed support for synchronised polls.
• Electoral Impact on Education: The committee chairman noted that approximately 30 per cent of the working time in government schools is consumed annually by election-related activities, adding that young citizens would be the primary beneficiaries of synchronisation.
• Panel Background: The pending legislative bills stem from recommendations made by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which counted Union Home Minister Amit Shah among its members.

Why This Matters

India previously held synchronized general and assembly elections between 1951 and 1967 across four consecutive cycles (1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967). That arrangement collapsed in 1968 and 1969 due to the early dissolution of multiple state assemblies, followed by the premature dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha in 1970. Historical factors, such as the extension of the Fifth Lok Sabha under Article 352 during the Emergency and subsequent early dissolutions of the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Lok Sabhas, created the current staggered election calendar.

Restoring simultaneous elections requires addressing procedural and legal requirements, most notably securing two-thirds parliamentary support and voluntary cooperation from state governments.

What to Watch Next

The joint parliamentary panel is tasked with reviewing the two bills, addressing legislative shortcomings, and delivering formal recommendations to Parliament. Observers will monitor whether the draft legislation can secure the necessary two-thirds majority in both Houses before the 2028 timeline identified by the panel chief, as well as the eventual stance adopted by individual state cabinets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the central government compel states to dissolve their assemblies for simultaneous polls?

No. According to the committee chairman, the Indian Constitution empowers states to decide their own poll timings, and the Union cannot order states to dissolve their legislative assemblies. The decision remains with each state’s Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.

What majority is required to pass the simultaneous election bills?

The constitutional amendment bills require a two-thirds majority of members in Parliament to be enacted.

When did India stop holding simultaneous elections?

Synchronised polls were standard practice from 1951 to 1967. The cycle broke down in 1968 and 1969 because several state assemblies were dissolved prematurely, followed by early national polls in 1971.

Source: Reported details based on statements and legislative records published by The Hindu.