Page 48 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

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. A voter being verified at a polling station near Delhi

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