Tag: constitution and the first general election

In addition to fundamental rights, the Constitution made special provisions for the oppressed castes and tribes by listing them in a Schedule and thus designating them as scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs). 

Congress, however, suffered some unexpected setbacks in three southern states Tamil Nadu (Madras), Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad) and Kerala (Travancore) where the party failed to win majority in the face of strong support of the Communist Party. 

The  first elections of India were held based on universal adult franchise, with all those twenty-one years of age or older having the right to vote. 

There were over 173 million voters, most of them poor, illiterate, and rural, and having had no experience of elections. The big question at the time was how would the people respond to this opportunity.

The main problem of newly independent India was ensuring the unity of India, which is the country of diversity, its refugees rehabilitation and assimilation of princely states.

The main role of planning commission was to formulate policies which would guide the economic development, so that democracy can be achieved.

The first election was the big task for Indian Election commission because of large number of illiterate population. Hence it was held between 1951 to 1952.

Organization of the elections was a wondrous task. There was a house-to-house survey to register the voters. With over 70 per cent of the voters being illiterate, the candidates were to be identified by symbols, assigned to each major party and independent candidates, painted on the ballot-boxes (this was later changed to symbols on the ballot papers). The voters were to place the ballot papers in the box assigned to a particular candidate, and ballot was secret. Over 224,000 polling booths, one for almost every 1000 voters, were constructed and equipped with over 21/2 million steel ballot-boxes, one box for every candidate.

India's electoral system was developed according to the directives of the Constitution. The Constitution made a provision for an Election Commission. It was to be headed by a Chief Election Commissioner, to conduct elections. It was to be independent of the executive or the parliament or the party in power.