Politicial decision must on cut-off for mid-term polls under the simultaneous election system: Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman

The decision on the definition of the ‘remainder of the term’ for Lok Sabha or State Assemblies before an election is held will be a political one to be taken in consultation with political parties, said P.P. Choudhary, chairman of Joint Parliamentary Committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ on Monday (May 16, 2026).

“Assuming the government loses majority after two-and-a-half years, midterm election for the remaining two-and-a-half years’ period can be held. However, a decision has to be made for a situation when the majority is lost with six months or three months left before the end of the term. The decision to have a cut-off time to determine the remainder of the term will have to be a political decision in consultation with parties,” Mr. Choudhary told presspersons here.

He was speaking after holding consultations with various stakeholders on the Constitution (129^th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill on the issue of simultaneous elections. He suggested that an amendment to anti-defection legislation would also be required while President’s Rule can also be applied for the remainder of the term.

When asked about a situation where a fractured mandate prevents the formation of a government, he said that there is a mechanism to resolve such a situation. “Fractured mandate can be in any system. Various suggestions have come on how the synchronisation can be achieved. Discussions are underway on the remainder of term.”

Pointing out that the Constitution’s 93^rd amendment for local bodies has addressed the remainder of the term, he said: “When that can be achieved at the grassroots level, why cannot it be incorporated at the level of State Assemblies and Parliament? There could be a possibility of electing a Chief Minister by the Assembly also.”

“Nowhere in the world you see elections taking place for five to six Assemblies every year. Everyone is affected in the chain. Programmes are not reaching people. Teachers are burdened with election work. It is important for the elections to be conducted together.” He pointed out that general elections and elections to State Assemblies were conducted simultaneously in four elections between 1952 and 1967.

“The cycle was disturbed due to the imposition of President’s Rule and emergency, and the creation of new States. We cannot underestimate voters. They are vigilant, especially in rural areas. Though they do express their preferences publicly, they know who to vote for at the State and national level. In the past, voters have elected different governments when simultaneous elections were held,” he said.

To another question on whether it was going to be ‘One Nation-One Party’ system, Mr. Choudhary asked: “Do you think what happened between 1952 and 1967 was for one party? It is not being proposed by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). The Election Commission had recommended it in 1980; the Law Commission of India has recommended thrice in the past; and the Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended simultaneous elections in 2015.”

He said some parties have taken differing stands on the matter, but ultimately it is a public policy in national interest. “In democracy, it is the will of the people and parties will have to change their stand based on the will of the people.