New Delhi [India], January 21: The second meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill, also known as the ‘Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024’ and the ‘Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024’, is scheduled for January 31, 2025, at 3 pm. The meeting will take place at the Main Committee Room in the Parliament Annexe Building in New Delhi.
The JPC’s first meeting on the bill, held on January 8, saw intense discussions between the ruling and opposition parties. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Law and Justice presented a detailed overview of the bill, covering its historical background and key reforms influencing its drafting since the 1950s. The presentation emphasized reducing election costs and promoting governance stability.
Following the ministry’s presentation, MPs from various political parties raised concerns and shared their views, highlighting their respective party’s positions on the proposed legislation.
The JPC is tasked with scrutinizing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, with members from various political parties, including Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, NCP’s Supriya Sule, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, and BJP’s PP Chaudhary, Bansuri Swaraj, and Anurag Singh Thakur. Rajya Sabha members are also part of the committee.
The two bills—The Constitution 129th Amendment Bill, 2024, and The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill, 2024—were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session and propose simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country. The bills were referred to the JPC for detailed examination.
Opposition parties have expressed concerns over the amendments, arguing that the proposed changes could disproportionately benefit the ruling party and reduce the influence of regional parties, undermining the federal structure of governance.