Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 welcomed members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) at the Delhi Secretariat for a study visit on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 — the twin legislative pillars of the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The committee, chaired by BJP MP P. P. Chaudhary, is examining the bills ahead of a formal report to Parliament.

Context

In her post, CM Gupta stated: 'एक राष्ट्र, एक चुनाव' ('One Nation, One Election') is 'an important reform to make India's democracy more empowered, organised, effective and stable.' She added that the proposal would result in 'savings of time, money and resources' and bring 'continuity and efficiency to governance.' The Delhi government, she said, 'supports every such reform that promotes good governance, strengthens administrative efficiency, and makes the democratic system more robust.'

The JPC's visit to the Delhi Secretariat is part of a federal consultation track, gathering inputs from state governments before the committee finalises its recommendations on the bills.

Policy Backdrop

The push for simultaneous elections has a long legislative history. In September 2023, the Union government constituted a High Level Committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of holding Lok Sabha and state assembly elections concurrently. The committee's report formed the basis for the two bills now before the JPC.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to amend the Constitution to synchronise election cycles across the country, while the accompanying Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 brings UT legislatures within the same framework. Critics across opposition parties have raised concerns about federal autonomy, arguing that fixing election cycles could curtail the constitutional right of state assemblies to complete their mandated terms independently.

Stakeholders and Impact

The proposal, if enacted, would affect political parties, state governments, and the Election Commission of India most directly. Proponents argue that holding elections simultaneously would reduce the repeated mobilisation of security forces, government machinery, and public expenditure that accompanies staggered polls. Opponents contend that local issues could be overshadowed by national narratives when all elections are bundled together.

Delhi's engagement with the JPC is notable given the capital's unique constitutional status as a Union Territory with a legislature — making it directly relevant to both bills under examination. CM Gupta's endorsement signals alignment between the BJP-led Delhi government and the Union government's legislative agenda on electoral reform.

What's Next

The JPC is expected to continue its consultation visits to other states and stakeholders before tabling its report in Parliament. Any floor debate on the bills will require broad consensus, as constitutional amendments demand ratification by a special majority and, in this case, likely concurrence from a majority of state legislatures. CM Gupta's public support adds a state-level voice to the Centre's push, but the reform's fate will ultimately hinge on the JPC report and the political arithmetic in both Houses of Parliament.