RGNUL Submits Viewpoint on ‘One Nation, One Election’ to JPC, Emphasizes Social and Democratic Implications
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ June 18,2025
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala has formally submitted its viewpoint to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) reform. The submission was made on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh by Dr. Jasleen Kewlani, who represented the university before the Committee during its visit to Chandigarh to engage with various stakeholders from Punjab on the proposed constitutional amendment.
In the detailed written note submitted during the interaction, Dr. Kewlani presented a comprehensive analysis of ONOE, acknowledging its potential benefits such as cost savings, administrative efficiency, and greater stability in governance through reduced election frequency. However, she urged the Committee to carefully consider the social, constitutional, and federal implications of implementing such a wide-ranging electoral reform.
She emphasized that India, functioning as a procedural democracy, offers citizens limited avenues for direct political participation beyond elections. Reducing the frequency of elections to once every five years could weaken public engagement, particularly among marginalized communities, by limiting their ability to hold elected representatives accountable. She also cautioned that simultaneous elections might lead to national issues eclipsing regional concerns, potentially weakening local representation and disturbing the federal balance enshrined in the Constitution.
From a social standpoint, the RGNUL submission expressed concern over ONOE potentially clashing with regional festivals and cultural calendars, which could impact voter turnout and community participation. Practical challenges such as the deployment of security personnel, logistical readiness, and the cognitive burden on voters casting ballots for multiple tiers of government simultaneously were also highlighted.
Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh
RGNUL Submits Viewpoint on ‘One Nation, One Election’ to JPC, Emphasizes Social and Democratic Implications. The submission concluded by advocating a phased, inclusive, and consultative approach to electoral reform. RGNUL stressed that while the objectives of ONOE may be progressive, its implementation must uphold the democratic ethos, federal autonomy, and social diversity that are central to the Indian republic.
Dr. Jaswinder Kaur and Dr. Basant Singh also participated in the discussion as part of the RGNUL delegation.
