Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 11: P P Chaudhary, chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE), has emphasized that synchronizing elections across India would allow elected representatives to focus entirely on governance for their full term, bringing immense benefits to the nation.
Speaking about the progress of the Constitution Amendment Bill on ONOE, Chaudhary noted that last week’s JPC meeting saw a positive response from members, signaling broad agreement on the initiative. The bill, currently under review, aims to align Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, streamlining the electoral process and reducing disruptions caused by frequent polls.
The JPC, chaired by BJP’s P.P. Chaudhary, consists of 39 members—27 from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha.
In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Chaudhary expressed hope that the Opposition would evaluate the bill on merit rather than opposing it for political reasons. He stressed that the meeting was not a strategy session but an interactive discussion, with former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajendra Menon also participating.
Addressing concerns about the feasibility of ONOE, Chaudhary pointed to India’s electoral history, noting that from 1952 to 1967, simultaneous elections were successfully conducted across the country—even without modern resources such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and advanced technology.
"If elections could be conducted simultaneously in the 1950s and 60s, despite limited resources, then in today’s era of technological advancement, it is certainly possible. India is now the world’s third-largest economy, and we have the capability to execute ONOE efficiently," he asserted.
He also revealed that the Election Commission, IT Ministry, and technology experts would be consulted to explore the logistics of implementing ONOE nationwide.
Discussing the economic impact, Chaudhary highlighted significant cost savings, stating that synchronizing elections would cut down massive expenditure on polls and provide an indirect GDP boost of around 1.6%.
"Thousands of crores of rupees are spent on conducting elections. If we synchronize them, the savings—both direct and indirect—will be substantial, benefiting the economy significantly," he explained.
Responding to the Congress party’s opposition, Chaudhary dismissed objections raised for the sake of resistance but assured that any genuine concerns would be addressed.
"If someone has a valid concern, we are open to making corrections. But if opposition continues even after resolving the issues, then there’s no solution for that. However, I believe that many who are opposing today will eventually support ONOE," he remarked.
He also revealed that several Congress leaders have privately admitted concerns about the disruptions caused by frequent elections, as it diverts lawmakers from their primary responsibilities.
"Politicians are elected to make laws and serve the people, but instead, they are constantly engaged in election campaigns. This affects governance, and the democratic process suffers," he said.
Chaudhary expressed confidence that a consensus would be reached, emphasizing that ONOE would not only strengthen India’s democracy but could also serve as a model for other nations.
"Once India successfully implements ONOE, other mature democracies will take note. If the world's largest democracy can conduct synchronized elections efficiently, it will inspire others to explore similar reforms," he concluded.
The ONOE debate continues to shape India’s political landscape, with the bill expected to remain a key topic of discussion in the coming months.