Joint Constitution Committee concludes Goa consultations on ‘One Nation, One Election’ with legislators and other stakeholders

**Executive Summary** The Joint Committee on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, concluded its two-day study visit to Goa on July 11, 2026, regarding the "One Nation, One Election" proposal. The committee held extensive consultations with state legislators, major public sector undertakings, civil society, and media representatives to discuss the legal and constitutional frameworks of simultaneous elections. Following the conclusion of the Goa leg, the committee is scheduled to proceed to Lucknow to continue its nationwide consultation process. **Key Points / Main Content** **Legislative Consultations** * The committee engaged with the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition, and Members of the Legislative Assembly from various political parties. * Discussions focused on the provisions of the proposed Bills and the potential impact on the state's legislative framework. **Constitutional and Electoral Issues** * Consultations addressed the handling of mid-term elections and the remaining tenure of legislatures in the event of premature dissolution. * The committee examined the proposed vesting of powers in the Election Commission of India. * Deliberations included the impact of the proposal on constitutional principles, specifically federalism and the Basic Structure Doctrine. **Engagement with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)** * Leadership from major PSUs, including ONGC, Konkan Railway Corporation, Goa Shipyard, Container Corporation of India, Manganese Ore (India) Limited, and Bank of Maharashtra, presented data and perspectives. * The committee sought further clarifications on how simultaneous elections would affect these organizations. **Civil Society and Media Outreach** * The final phase of the Goa visit involved interactions with civil society representatives and members of the print and electronic media. * These sessions facilitated an exchange of ideas regarding the various social and democratic aspects of the "One Nation, One Election" proposal. **Impact Analysis** **State Legislators (Goa Legislative Assembly)** **Impact:** Proposed changes would affect the duration of legislative tenures and the scheduling of mid-term elections following premature dissolutions. **Action Required:** Legislators participated in discussions across party lines to provide feedback on the proposed constitutional amendments. **Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)** **Impact:** The shift to simultaneous elections may have administrative and data-driven implications for large-scale public organizations. **Action Required:** Top leadership must provide supporting data to the committee and are encouraged to undertake additional studies to facilitate a comprehensive impact assessment. **Civil Society and Media** **Impact:** These groups are impacted by changes to the electoral process and the broader application of constitutional principles like federalism. **Action Required:** Representatives shared perspectives and engaged in an exchange of ideas to help the committee understand diverse viewpoints on the proposal. **Joint Committee on the Constitution** **Impact:** The committee is responsible for examining the feasibility and framework of the proposed 129th Amendment Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill. **Action Required:** The committee must continue its nationwide study tour, with the next scheduled visit taking place in Lucknow.

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