The chairman of the joint parliamentary committee on One Nation One Election has said the bill is in the national interest.

P.P. Chaudhary made the remarks on October 5 after the panel heard views from media stakeholders. The committee is examining the constitutional changes needed for simultaneous polls.

Supporters say holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections together would cut costs and reduce the disruption of repeated model code periods. Critics say it would hurt regional parties and strain the federal structure.

The panel has been touring the country gathering opinions from political parties, experts and civil society groups. Its report will shape the government's next steps.

The proposal needs a constitutional amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The government does not currently have those numbers.

Opposition parties remain divided on the idea. Some have called the committee's work a distraction from pressing economic issues.

A high-level panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind submitted its report in 2024, recommending simultaneous elections be introduced in a phased manner.

Sources: khelja.in, newkerala.com, devdiscourse.com.