Former CJI Gavai tells JPC that simultaneous polls do not violate basic structure of the Constitution

Former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai told the Parliamentary Joint Committee reviewing the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 that the legislation does not violate the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. While some former Chief Justices, including Justices U.U. Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna, have argued against the bill, others, such as Justice Gavai and four other former CJIs, believe it is constitutional. The committee is considering the bill's impact on election structure, voter rights, and accountability of government bodies. The bill seeks to empower the Election Commission to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies.