One Nation, One Election May Begin with 2029 Lok Sabha Polls: JPC Chair

The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 , which seeks to introduce 'One Nation, One Election' , is working to develop a mechanism that could make simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections operational by the 2029 general elections , committee chairperson PP Chaudhary said on Friday.

Speaking after the panel's two-day meeting in Goa, Chaudhary said the committee is consulting state governments, constitutional experts, civil society groups and other stakeholders to build a framework that is acceptable across the political spectrum. He claimed that nearly 99 per cent of civil society stakeholders consulted so far have supported the proposal.

The committee discussed the reform with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his cabinet, focusing on implementation challenges and possible solutions. Chaudhary said the panel has also held consultations in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

On states that have recently concluded Assembly elections , Chaudhary said the committee is examining options to synchronise electoral cycles before 2029 , but only if political parties and state governments voluntarily agree . Otherwise, a broader alignment is expected when the proposed system is introduced alongside the 2029 Lok Sabha elections .

Highlighting the economic case for the reform, Chaudhary cited findings submitted to the Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level committee , which estimated that conducting separate elections across the country results in an economic loss of nearly ₹7 lakh crore . He argued that synchronised polls would reduce governance disruptions, limit the repeated imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, minimise the diversion of teachers for election duties and lessen the economic impact on sectors such as tourism.

He said the committee's objective is to build broad political consensus before finalising the mechanism for implementing the electoral reform.