Lok Sabha grants extension to joint committee on simultaneous polls

The two Bills on implementing simultaneous polls were introduced in Lok Sabha on December 17 last year after a recommendation by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Written by Harikishan Sharma

New Delhi | Updated: August 13, 2025 04:16 AM IST

2 min read

Both Houses have been adjourned till August 18 (Monday) 11 am. (File Photo)

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday granted a fresh extension to the joint committee examining two key bills to implement simultaneous elections, giving it time up to the first day of the last week of the Winter Session to present its report.

BJP member P P Chaudhary, who heads the joint committee, moved a motion, which was approved by the House through a voice vote amid a din created by Opposition members. “That this House do extend time for the presentation of the Report of the Joint Committee on—the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment ) Bill, 2024—upto the first day of last week of the Winter Session, 2025,” Chaudhary said, moving the motion.

These two Bills are crucial for enabling the holding of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously, which has been on the BJP’s agenda for decades. The Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on December 17 last year following a recommendation by a high-level committee under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Some Opposition leaders have questioned the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, saying it would be anti-democratic and against federalism.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the House was adjourned till 3 pm following an uproar created by the Opposition members over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha functioned for 10 minutes before Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till noon. As soon as the House assembled at 11 am, Opposition members started raising slogans, demanding a rollback of the SIR in Bihar. The Speaker wanted to take up Question Hour; however, Opposition MPs rushed into the Well, raising slogans.

Harikishan Sharma

Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More

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Lok Sabha One Nation One Election Parliament polls