Page 46 - Leap of Faith inside pages with cover (1)

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

Polling officials examining election material, 1952

A healthy electoral roll forms the bedrock of any free and
fair elec on. For the First General Elec ons, the total
number of voters enrolled in the whole of India (except
Jammu & Kashmir) was 17,32,13,635. Thus 49 percent of
the total popula on of India (except J&K) i.e. 35,66,91,760
as per Census, 1951 was enrolled for elec ons. The margin
of error was slender as the Census figures revealed that
18,03,07,684 or 50.55% popula on was in the age group
21 years or above.

There were 314 single-member cons tuencies, 86 two-
member cons tuencies and one three-member
cons tuency. The total number of seats in legisla ve
assemblies of various states was 3,283 out of which 477
were reserved for Scheduled Castes and 192 for
Scheduled Tribes. Voter being verified at a polling station near Delhi

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