One Nation one poll: Law panel refers to UK Act before finalising report .

United Kingdom may be a favourite destination for Indian economic offenders seeking refuge in the country, but its recently-enacted Act on fixed-term elections may prove to be handy for India. Before finalising its draft report on ‘One Nation, One Election’, the Law Commission had referred to the UK’s ‘The Fixed-term Parliaments Act, 2011’.

People with the knowledge of the matter told ET that the said Act was studied in detail since it answers several questions relating to fixed terms for Parliament and state assemblies. Incidentally, this is one of the chief objections raised by several political parties during the ongoing consultations with the commission. The common argument raised by the parties is that the proposed idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is “against the federal arrangement”.

However, the commission is of the view that the “chain” of simultaneous elections continued in the country for two decades, after Independence up to 1967. The dissolution of certain state assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 1970 lead to “disruption of simultaneous elections”.

Thus, the panel is of the view that if Parliament decides in favour of ‘One Nation, One Election’, it will “restore the chain of simultaneous elections”.

However, for such a restoration the system will have to provide that elections in a state can be conducted for the rest of the term. For instance, if after imposition of simultaneous elections, an elected government in a state has three years of mandate left, then elections may be conducted for the remainder of the term.

“It will be both factually incorrect and unfair to allege that the concept of simultaneous elections is against federalism. Our republic commenced with simultaneous elections which lasted for over two decades. If, at all, ‘One Nation, One Election’ were to become a reality, it would be only restoring the broken chain of simultaneous elections,” said a senior official.

On the second day of consultations with the commission, JDU, SP and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) argued in favour of ‘One Nation, One Election’. In a letter written to the commission’s Chairman, K Chandrashekar Rao of TRS stoutly supported the concept.

While backing simultaneous polls, SP insisted that it should be put into force from this year. Buoyed by the success in Uttar Pradesh bypolls, the party has told the commission that SP will support the proposal provided it is implemented before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Telugu Desam Party, All India Forward Bloc and Goa Forward Party have opposed the proposal.

DMK too opposed it saying the concept is against the basic tenets of the Constitution. ET had reported on July 7 that TMC and CPI have written to the commission arguing against simultaneous polls.

It might be mentioned here that the Niti Aayog has also advocated “fixed tenures” for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. As first reported by ET on April 18, the Aayog had also cited the said Act of the UK to buttress its point of “fixed tenures”. (Source: The Economic Times)