ONOE JPC set to visit all states; to meet parties, ECI, ex-judges

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scrutinising two bills aimed at ushering in simultaneous state and national elections has decided to visit all states, meet political parties, the Election Commission of India, former judges, paramilitary forces, and a slew of stakeholders to review the proposal, people aware of the matter said on Friday.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

NEW DELHI:

The JPC, led by Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker PP Chaudhary, will invite suggestions from the Union home secretary, chief secretaries of states, and all registered political parties on the bills that aim to roll out simultaneous polls, an ambitious agenda of the Narendra Modi government.

The two bills include a Constitutional amendment and a bill to roll out simultaneous polls in Union Territories. The Centre hopes that simultaneous polls will reduce costs, ensure stability and predictability in governance by minimising disruption and policy paralysis and also increase voter participation. The Opposition says it is an unconstitutional move that will damage federalism.