10 big things about the first Lok Sabha elections of independent India

India’s first general election was held in 1951-52, marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey. Despite logistical challenges and limited communication infrastructure, the election was conducted in 68 phases, with a total of 1874 candidates vying for 489 seats. The Indian National Congress emerged victorious, securing an absolute majority and paving the way for Jawaharlal Nehru’s second term as Prime Minister. The election’s integrity was bolstered by the presence of international observers, the introduction of voter identity cards, and the use of election symbols to aid voters. This historic election served as a testament to India’s commitment to democracy and the active participation of its citizens.

1. The elections were held from October 25, 1951, to February 21, 1952. This was the first democratic election held after India’s independence.

2. The elections were conducted in 68 phases. This was a challenging task, as India is a vast country and transportation and communication facilities at that time were limited.

3. A total of 1874 candidates contested for 489 seats. These candidates included members of 14 national parties.

4. The Indian National Congress won 364 seats and secured an absolute majority. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected Prime Minister for the second time.

5. The Communist Party of India (CPI) won 16 seats and 3.29% of the votes. It was the second-largest party after Congress.

6. The minimum age for voting was 21 years. This age limit was a standard for that time.

7. International observers were called to monitor the elections. This was the first time that international observers had been called to monitor an election in India.

8. Voters were issued identity cards for the first time in these elections. This was done to prevent voter fraud.

9. Election symbols were used for the first time in these elections. This was done to make it easier for voters to identify the candidates they wanted to vote for.

10. These elections played an important role in the development of India’s democracy. They showed that the people of India were committed to democracy and that they were ready to participate in the democratic process.