Chandigarh, June 16 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reiterated the state government’s principled support for the “One Nation, One Election” initiative, calling it a visionary step toward a unified and efficient democracy. Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee in New Chandigarh on Sunday, CM Saini described the concept as more than a slogan it’s a national vision aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideal of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
The Joint Parliamentary Committee, led by MP P.P. Chaudhary, is currently on a study tour examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territory Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Several committee members and dignitaries were present during the deliberations.
Highlighting the disruptive nature of frequent elections, CM Saini said, “Repeated elections not only hinder developmental work but also stretch administrative machinery and drain public resources.” Citing Haryana’s recent electoral cycle, he noted that in the span of one year, the state went through three major elections: Lok Sabha polls (March–June 2024), Assembly elections (August–October 2024), and municipal polls (February–March 2025). Each phase of elections triggered a Model Code of Conduct, which adversely affected the pace of governance and service delivery, he said.
Saini emphasized that the concept of simultaneous elections is a demand of the times and resonates with the sentiments of the people. “This reform will reduce wasteful expenditure, enhance voter engagement, and improve the overall democratic process,” he asserted.
He further proposed that social and cultural factors such as agricultural seasons, festivals, marriages, and holidays should be taken into account while deciding poll dates to maximize voter participation. “Frequent elections can also cause voter fatigue, resulting in lower turnout. But if held once in five years, elections will evoke greater enthusiasm and involvement among citizens,” he added.
According to the Chief Minister, implementing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislatures would ensure uniformity in voter awareness campaigns, better administrative coordination, and optimal utilization of resources.
Among those present at the meeting were Joint Parliamentary Committee members Bhartuhari Mahtab, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Vijay Kumar Hansda, Y.V. Subba Reddy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, P. Wilson, Chandan Chauhan, Manish Tewari, Anil Yashwant Desai, Dr. K. Laxman, Saket Gokhale, Bansuri Swaraj, and Chhotelal. Also attending were Haryana BJP President Mohan Lal Kaushik and Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal.
