Justice Awasthi Backs 'One Nation, One Election' in Parliamentary Hearing

Justice (Retd.) Ritu Raj Awasthi assured a parliamentary committee that the 'one nation, one election' Bill aligns with Constitutional principles. It doesn't infringe on federal structures or democratic rights, proposing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, a practice followed until the early 1970s.

In a significant parliamentary hearing, Justice (Retd.) Ritu Raj Awasthi, the former chairperson of the Law Commission, expressed strong support for the 'one nation, one election' Bill. Addressing criticisms, he assured the joint parliamentary committee that the proposed legislative measure respects the country's federal and democratic traditions.

Justice Awasthi, now with the anti-corruption body Lokpal, argued that the Bill doesn't infringe on citizens' voting rights. He underscored that it provides a constitutional structure required for concurrent elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, an approach that existed in India from 1951 until the late 1960s.

Additionally, the Union Law Ministry's legislative department supported Awasthi's stance, noting that simultaneous elections did not disrupt federal balance and were a norm until political disruptions in the late 20th century. The Election Commission has been consulted to address remaining queries.