Lok Sabha Panel's Tenure Extended for Simultaneous Polls Bill

The Lok Sabha has approved extending the tenure of a parliamentary committee examining bills for simultaneous polls until the Monsoon session of 2026. The extension was sought by P P Chaudhary, and the committee has been deliberating with constitutional experts and key figures since its formation in December 2024.

The Lok Sabha, on Wednesday, extended the tenure of a crucial parliamentary committee tasked with examining bills aimed at introducing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. The extension is expected to last until the Monsoon session of 2026.

P P Chaudhary, chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament examining these significant bills, successfully moved a motion to extend the committee's tenure. This decision involves the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Following a voice vote, the Lok Sabha adopted the motion.

The committee, which convened for the first time in January 2025, has engaged with numerous constitutional experts, economists, law commission members, and politicians, including Ghulam Nabi Azad. Noteworthy attendees include former IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath, and past Chief Justices of India Sanjiv Khanna, U U Lalit, D Y Chandrachud, and J S Khehar.

(With inputs from agencies.)