Page 34 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

The last general elections in colonial India were held in elections to be conducted on the basis of adult suffrage.
1945-46. These elections to the Central and Provincial However, Viceroy Lord Wavell informed that major
legislatures were important because they formed the alteration in franchise was not possible.
basis of a Constituent Assembly to decide India's By the end of July 1946, elections were completed to 296
Constitution. The historic victory of the Labour Party in seats assigned to the Constituent Assembly to the British
British general elections of July 5, 1945 cleared the path Indian Provinces. The results of these elections led to the
for attainment of full self-government (i.e. independence) formation of the Interim Government, but not directly
in India. The ban imposed on the All India Congress the Constituent Assembly. The Cabinet Mission that
Committee w.e.f August 9, 1942- in the wake of Quit India visited India (1946) admitted that elections based on
Movement- was lifted on August 22, 1945 after elections adult franchise would have been the ideal way to form
had been announced. There were demands on the Indian any constitution-making body. However, since the
side like by the Indian National Congress (vide its Election process involved (preparation of electoral roll etc) was a
Manifesto, 1945), and leaders like M.N. Roy for the lengthy one, it would delay India's independence.

First Assembly of the Madras Presidency, 1937

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