Face2News/Chandigarh
A thought-provoking seminar, “Advocates of Chandigarh for One Nation, One Election,” was successfully organized on Monday at Law Bhawan, Sector 37, Chandigarh. The event saw an enthusiastic participation of over 250 advocates, including esteemed legal luminaries, senior advocates, and judicial experts, who engaged in insightful discussions on the constitutional and practical aspects of implementing simultaneous elections across India.
The seminar commenced with a warm welcome address by Advocate Lekhraj Sharma, a respected member of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar. He introduced the distinguished guests and provided an overview of the “One Nation, One Election” initiative, emphasizing its significance in ensuring political stability and governance efficiency.
(SUBHEAD)The Chief Guest of the event, Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Arvind Sangwan, delivered a compelling address on the constitutional feasibility and legal intricacies of the One Nation, One Election proposal. He highlighted how its implementation could streamline the electoral process, reduce administrative costs, and minimize governance disruptions. Justice Sangwan provided a judicial perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting this electoral reform.
Senior Advocate and Former Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan mittal also addressed the gathering, stressing that this reform is a national necessity. He explained how frequent elections hinder governance, burden the exchequer, and divert policymakers from developmental agendas. He urged legal professionals to support the initiative as a step toward a more stable and progressive India.
Senior Advocate and Former Advocate General of Haryana, B.R. Mahajan, reinforced the argument, shedding light on the operational challenges of conducting multiple elections and how synchronizing them would lead to better policy continuity and administrative efficiency. He emphasized that a unified election cycle would strengthen democratic institutions and foster long-term policy planning.
Adding depth to the discussion, Senior Advocate Atul Lakhanpal provided a historical overview of elections in India. He elaborated on how, in the early years post-independence, simultaneous elections were the norm until the cycle was disrupted due to political instability and premature dissolutions. He urged the legal fraternity to advocate for restoring this practice to its original framework.
The event concluded with an interactive session where advocates engaged in meaningful deliberations, exchanging views on the feasibility, legal amendments required, and the potential impact of One Nation, One Election on the federal structure of India.
The seminar served as a call to action for the legal community to play an active role in shaping public discourse and contributing to the nation’s democratic evolution. The overwhelming response from the advocates highlighted their commitment to strengthening India’s electoral framework for a more stable and development-oriented governance system.
