Challenges before ECI and conduction of first general election

Challenges in Conducting Elections:

• Conducting elections in a country as vast as India posed significant challenges.
• The first general election, held after the adoption of the constitution, was an enormous undertaking, with approximately 17 crore eligible voters selecting 489 MPs for the Lok Sabha and 3200 MLAs for state assemblies.
• Only 15% of eligible voters were literate, necessitating special voting methods. Candidates were identified by symbols assigned to each major party and independent candidate, and these symbols were painted on ballot papers in specific boxes for secrecy.

Election Preparation:

• The Election Commission trained over 3 lakh officers and polling staff to conduct the election.
• India's first general election was a groundbreaking experiment in democracy, particularly in a diverse and illiterate society.

Fair and Orderly Elections:

• The elections took place over nearly four months, from October 25, 1951, to February 21, 1952.
• Despite initial scepticism, the elections were conducted fairly, freely, impartially, and with minimal violence.

This historical context underscores India's commitment to democracy and the successful conduct of its first general election, marking a significant milestone in the country's democratic journey.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) faced several challenges in the lead-up to and during the conduction of the first general election in 1951.

Challenges before the first general election

• Delimitation of electoral constituencies: India had a vast and diverse population, and it was a challenging task to delimit electoral constituencies fairly and equitably. The ECI had to ensure that each constituency was of approximately equal size and that all voters had an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
• Preparation of electoral rolls: India had a largely illiterate population, and it was difficult to prepare accurate electoral rolls. The ECI had to develop a system for registering voters and compiling electoral rolls that was both efficient and inclusive.
• Educating the electorate: A large number of Indian voters were illiterate and had no prior experience with voting. The ECI had to conduct a massive public education campaign to educate voters about their rights and responsibilities.
• Ensuring a free and fair election: The ECI had to ensure that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner, without any interference from political parties or other vested interests. This was a challenging task, given the size and complexity of the Indian electorate.

Challenges during the First General Election

• Logistical challenges: The first general election was a massive undertaking, involving the deployment of millions of election personnel and the transportation of voting materials to all corners of the country. The ECI had to overcome several logistical challenges to ensure that the election was conducted smoothly and efficiently.
• Security challenges: There were concerns about violence and fraud in the lead-up to and during the first general election. The ECI had to take steps to ensure the security of voters and election personnel, and to prevent fraud and malpractice.
• Political challenges: The ECI had to maintain its impartiality and independence in the face of pressure from political parties and other vested interests. This was a challenging task, given the highly politicized nature of Indian society.

Despite these challenges, the ECI successfully conducted the first general election in 1951. The election was largely free and fair, and it resulted in the formation of the first democratically elected government of India.

Challenges before the ECI today

The ECI continues to face several challenges in the conduct of elections in India. Some of these challenges include:

• The use of money and muscle power in elections: The use of money and muscle power to influence voters is a major challenge in Indian elections. The ECI has taken several steps to address this challenge, but it remains a serious problem.
• The role of social media: Social media is playing an increasingly important role in Indian elections. The ECI is facing the challenge of regulating the use of social media to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
• The rise of communalism and casteism: The rise of communalism and casteism is another challenge that the ECI faces. The ECI has to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and impartially, without any bias on the grounds of religion or caste.

The ECI is a highly respected institution in India, and it has a long history of conducting free and fair elections. However, the challenges that it faces are becoming increasingly complex. The ECI will need to continue to adapt and innovate to ensure that the Indian electoral process remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all voters.

Response of People to Election & New Political Order

• People's response to the new political order was enthusiastic, treating voting as a valued possession. Some treated polling as a festival, donning festive attire and women wearing jewellery.
• Despite higher levels of poverty and illiteracy, the number of invalid votes remained low, ranging from 3% to 0.4%.
• Notably, women participated extensively, with at least 40% of eligible women exercising their right to vote. This demonstrated the faith of the leadership in the people, which was fully justified.

Political Parties in the First Election of Independent India

• Indian National Congress to Socialist Party
• Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party
• Communist and allies
• Jan Singh
• Hindu Mahasabha
• RRP [Ram Rajya Parishad]
• other local parties
• Independents.

This diverse array of political parties reflects the dynamic political landscape during the early days of independent India.

Election Results - First Elections in Independent India

• The Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party, securing 364 seats with 45% of the total polled votes for the Lok Sabha.
• The Congress formed governments in all states and at the central level. In four states (Madras, Travancore-Cochin, Orissa, PEPSU), it didn't secure a majority on its own but formed governments with the support of independents and smaller local parties, which later merged with the Congress.
• The Communist Party's performance was a significant surprise, making it the second-largest group in the Lok Sabha. Princes and big landlords still held substantial influence in some regions.
• In Orissa, their party Gantantra Parishad won 31 seats in the Assembly. Despite the numerical dominance of the Congress, the opposition was quite effective in Parliament.
• Various forms of political participation like trade unions, Kisan Sabha, strikes, hartals, bands, and demonstrations were available to different segments of society. Elections were the primary form of direct political participation for the vast majority, including rural and urban poor.
• In the subsequent years (1952, 1957, and 1962), two more general elections were held for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The voter turnout improved, reaching 47% in 1957 and 54% in 1962. In both elections, the Congress emerged as the single largest party and formed governments at both central and state levels.
• In 1957, the Communists were able to form a government in Kerala, marking the first democratically elected communist government anywhere in the world.

These election results reflect the dynamic political landscape of early independent India.

Conclusion:

• The fair and peaceful conduct of these early elections marked a significant milestone, indicating that democratic principles and institutions, deeply rooted in the national movement, were beginning to flourish. India, particularly under the leadership of Nehru, garnered admiration internationally, especially among former colonial nations.
• Elections played a dual role, serving to both foster national unity and validate policies of integration. As Ashok Mehta aptly put it, "The parliament acted as a great unifier of the nation". This underscores the vital role that democratic processes played in consolidating India as a nation and shaping its political landscape in the post-independence era.