Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana expressed strong support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal during a meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He emphasized that simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies would lead to time and resource savings, benefiting elected representatives and enabling a focus on development efforts. The JPC, led by BJP MP P.P. Chaudhary, is currently in Lucknow gathering feedback on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aim to facilitate synchronized elections nationwide.
As part of their visit to Lucknow, the committee engaged with various stakeholders, including government officials, opposition leaders, and constitutional experts, to discuss the proposed legislation. Speaker Mahana highlighted the advantages of simultaneous elections, noting that they would reduce the burden on citizens, lawmakers, and administrative resources. He underscored that aligning election cycles would allow elected representatives to dedicate more time to governance and public welfare, rather than being preoccupied with campaigning activities.
Mahana further emphasized that holding elections together would optimize the utilization of resources and ensure continuity in developmental initiatives. The proposal received support from Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, who described it as a crucial national issue with historical precedence. Shahi pointed out that simultaneous elections were previously conducted from 1952 to 1967, resulting in efficiency gains and cost reductions associated with frequent polls.
While the ruling party and some ministers endorsed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept, opposition parties, including the Congress, expressed reservations. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai reiterated the party’s objection to the proposal, citing concerns about the government’s approach and framework for its implementation. Despite opposition voices, State Cabinet Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma defended the initiative, asserting that it aligns with the country’s developmental interests and represents a positive step forward.
