A parliamentary committee scrutinizing the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections bill will seek an extension to gather more stakeholder views. The committee, chaired by P P Chaudhary, believes the bill, known as the one-nation-one-election proposal, does not violate the Constitution’s basic structure, a stance supported by the Law Commission. NEW DELHI: The parliamentary committee scrutinising the constitutional amendment bill that proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will seek an extension in its tenure from Parliament as it needs more time to gather views of different stakeholders, including national and regional political parties, the panel’s chairperson P P Chaudhary said on Friday.Its current tenure is till the first day of the last week of the coming Winter Session, which is scheduled between Dec 1 and Dec 19.“The committee needs more time,” Chaudhary told TOI, while emphasising that opinions of various constitutional experts make it clear that the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, commonly known as one-nation-one-election (ONOE) bill, is not violative of the Constitution’s basic structure, a key argument of opposition parties against the proposed law.NDA govt’s vigorous push for simultaneous polls has also received full-throttle endorsement from Law Commission. The “refreshing concept of synchronising of elections” is in larger national interest and is “squarely within the periphery of amending powers of the Parliament,” it has said, according to sources.In its written opinion to the committee, Law Commission is learnt to have said, “Far from undermining democracy, the proposed bill aims to strengthen it by ensuring stability, reducing the constant drain of elections, and allowing govts to focus on governance.”Its representatives along with those from Election Commission of India are scheduled to appear before the Chaudhary-led committee on Dec 4. It has rejected the arguments of opposition parties and some experts that the bill violates the Constitution’s basic structure and federal character.It has also backed some of the more contentious provisions of the bill, especially related to the sweeping powers given to EC under its Article 82A(5) to defer an assembly poll if the poll body thinks that it cannot be conducted simultaneously with that of Lok Sabha.Besides other experts, some former CJIs too, in their comments to the committee, have questioned the “unfettered” powers delegated to EC in the bill and suggested corrective measures, including the need for parliamentary nod in such cases.Law Commission, in its opinion, has equated EC with judiciary, executive and legislature when it comes to upholding democracy, asserting that Article 324 of the Constitution bestows on it extensive and broad powers and protects it from any external influence.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi EventIndia’s Updated Quake Map Warns Entire Himalayan Arc Faces Major Risk, Forcing Urgent Safety Reforms’They Are Ours, We’ll Prove It’: Pakistani Leader’s Absurd Claim On ‘Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan’Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Monsoon Fury Slams Sri Lanka With At Least 56 Dead And Dozens MissingViral Video: Stage Crashes During UP Wedding As BJP Leaders Gather To Greet Bride & GroomIndia-Russia Summit Dates Out As PM Modi, Putin Review S-400, Su-57 And Global Security Challenges123PhotostoriesBengali film stories that shaped generations and still move hearts today10 emotional skills you must teach your childNur Jahan’s Taj Mahal toMaharani Sita Devi’s Star of South Diamond Necklace:5 lesser-known precious royal Indian jewellery piecesRebellious lovers who break every rule to define love in Bollywood moviesAnkita Lokhande reveals she is returning to Laughter Chefs season 3; Krushna Abhishek says ‘We will celebrate Christmas with our Bhauji’4 simple exercises that can help relieve foot pain from diabetic neuropathyGirija Oak Godbole: Surprising facts about the ‘blue saree girl’ you didn’t knowFrom Pythons to Koalas: 5 sleepyhead animals that nap their way through most of the day2 effective drinks to control blood sugar naturally and how to make them at homeRanbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt to Randeep Hooda: Actors who disappeared with their roles123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingSaquon BarkleyLaMelo BallDonald TrumpDana WhiteAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerJammie BookerMarcus FolignoCalgary FlamesVanessa Bryant
NEW DELHI: The parliamentary committee scrutinising the constitutional amendment bill that proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will seek an extension in its tenure from Parliament as it needs more time to gather views of different stakeholders, including national and regional political parties, the panel’s chairperson P P Chaudhary said on Friday.Its current tenure is till the first day of the last week of the coming Winter Session, which is scheduled between Dec 1 and Dec 19.“The committee needs more time,” Chaudhary told TOI, while emphasising that opinions of various constitutional experts make it clear that the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, commonly known as one-nation-one-election (ONOE) bill, is not violative of the Constitution’s basic structure, a key argument of opposition parties against the proposed law.NDA govt’s vigorous push for simultaneous polls has also received full-throttle endorsement from Law Commission. The “refreshing concept of synchronising of elections” is in larger national interest and is “squarely within the periphery of amending powers of the Parliament,” it has said, according to sources.In its written opinion to the committee, Law Commission is learnt to have said, “Far from undermining democracy, the proposed bill aims to strengthen it by ensuring stability, reducing the constant drain of elections, and allowing govts to focus on governance.”Its representatives along with those from Election Commission of India are scheduled to appear before the Chaudhary-led committee on Dec 4. It has rejected the arguments of opposition parties and some experts that the bill violates the Constitution’s basic structure and federal character.It has also backed some of the more contentious provisions of the bill, especially related to the sweeping powers given to EC under its Article 82A(5) to defer an assembly poll if the poll body thinks that it cannot be conducted simultaneously with that of Lok Sabha.Besides other experts, some former CJIs too, in their comments to the committee, have questioned the “unfettered” powers delegated to EC in the bill and suggested corrective measures, including the need for parliamentary nod in such cases.Law Commission, in its opinion, has equated EC with judiciary, executive and legislature when it comes to upholding democracy, asserting that Article 324 of the Constitution bestows on it extensive and broad powers and protects it from any external influence.
