The First General Election in India: The culmination of India’s transition to a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic occurred on October 25, 1951, with the First General Election.
In 1951 and 1952, India held its first general election, marking an important turning point. Besides establishing the framework for the world’s largest democratic experiment, this change also altered Indian politics. In this analysis, we shall explore the importance, obstacles, and achievements of India’s inaugural democratic endeavor.
First General Election in India
The First General Election of 1951 marked a major milestone in India’s quest for sovereignty, socialism, secularism, and democracy. A mass election was finally conducted after many years of striving for independence.
During the first general elections of independent India, the Lok Sabha was elected during a pivotal moment in the constitution’s formation.
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Since August 1947, India has been governed by the Indian Constituent Assembly, which was replaced by the First General Election for a more permanent and representative legislative body.
The government granted all citizens over 21 the right to vote, regardless of socioeconomic status, sect, creed, religion, or gender.
In the contest for 489 seats, a total of 1953 political parties participated, enlisting 1874 candidates in an attempt to secure victory. Certain 401 constituencies had multiple members during the election. Significantly, during the 1960s, the multi-seat constituencies were eradicated.
Voter Participation and Representation: Approximately 17.32 crores of a population of 36 crores were eligible to vote, for a significant 45% turnout. The Indian National Congress (INC), which won 364 seats and nearly 45 percent of the vote, dominated the elections. With 16 seats, the Communist Party of India (CPI) placed second.
In September 1951, organizers conducted a simulated election to introduce the public to electoral procedures. Sukumar Sen ensured a smooth and just electoral process as the inaugural Election Commissioner of India.
Famous Losers and Winners: Sucheta Kripalani, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Lal Bahadur Shastri were notable losers and winners. Nevertheless, Narayan Sadoba Kajrolkar, an INC candidate, defeated B.R. Ambedkar in the North-Central seat of Bombay.
Highlights of the Results of the First General Election of India
According to the table below, each main party won a certain number of seats and received a certain number of votes.
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| Major Parties | No. of Votes | Seats Won |
| Indian National Congress | 47,665,875 | 364 |
| Communist Party of India | 3,484,401 | 16 |
| Bhartiya Jana Singh | 3,246,288 | 3 |
| Socialist Party | 11,266,779 | 12 |
| Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party | 6,156,558 | 9 |
| Independents | 16,817,910 | 37 |
Noteworthy Facts and Figures of First Lok Sabha (1852-1957)
- A record 677 members comprised the first Lok Sabha, which was in session from April 1952 to April 1957.
- V. Mavalankar presided over the first Lok Sabha as its Speaker.
- In the initial elections, Ravi Narayana Reddy received more votes than Nehru as a candidate for the People’s Democratic Front.
