JPC consultations intensify as Centre explores phased roadmap for synchronized national elections.
The series of meetings by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on “One Nation, One Election” is continuing. Most recently, on July 1, 2026, a committee meeting was held at the Delhi Legislative Assembly, where Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta suggested a comprehensive examination of issues relating to the synchronization of electoral cycles, constructive votes of no-confidence, premature dissolution of legislatures, harmonization of electoral rolls, strengthening the logistical preparedness of the Election Commission, and institutional mechanisms to ensure political stability while preserving India’s democratic and federal character. Meanwhile, the JPC on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, headed by Chairperson P.P. Chaudhary, has stated that nationwide consultations will shape the committee’s recommendations.
So far, the JPC has held around 16 meetings, including sessions at the Parliament House Annexe and in states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Delhi. According to Chaudhary, holding simultaneous elections could save the country nearly Rs 7 lakh crore. Citing economists, he said the historic reform could boost India’s GDP by 1.6%.
It has also been claimed that during these meetings, nearly 99% of legal experts—including representatives from the Law Commission of India, the Election Commission, former Chief Justices of India and several constitutional scholars—have deemed the proposal fully constitutional. The committee has so far visited around 10 to 11 states and Union Territories. Recently, it toured cities including Mumbai, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Shimla, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar and Delhi, where it held consultations with Chief Ministers, Legislative Assembly Speakers and other stakeholders.
Sources indicate that despite existing constitutional provisions, the Central Government aims to move forward only after building a broad consensus among political parties, state governments and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and minimise any adverse impact on any party. According to sources, a two- or three-phase transition model for “One Nation, One Election” is under consideration, with a target completion timeline between 2029 and 2034.
Under this phased model, state assembly elections would be aligned with the completion of existing tenures, culminating in simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies and Union Territories by 2034.
If assembly elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Karnataka and Telangana are held in 2028, the tenures of these assemblies could be extended by approximately five months to one year.
Similarly, if assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir are conducted alongside the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the tenures of the first four states would remain largely unaffected, while the tenures of the remaining states and the Union Territory could be curtailed by about three months. This would effectively synchronize elections in these states and Jammu and Kashmir with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, forming the second phase of the transition.
In the third phase, assembly elections in Assam, Puducherry, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Bihar, currently due in 2030 and 2031, could see their tenures shortened by one to two years.
Subsequently, the implementation of “One Nation, One Election” in 2034 would, according to proponents of the proposal, not infringe upon anyone’s constitutional rights.
The Lok Sabha has extended the committee’s tenure until the first day of the final week of the 2026 Monsoon Session, and it is expected that the panel may submit its report by then.
It is worth noting that simultaneous elections would not be a new experiment for India. Between 1952 and 1967, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in most states were held together on four occasions. The practice is also not unique globally. Countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Germany, South Africa and Sweden conduct multiple elections simultaneously in various forms to reduce costs and administrative burdens.
