Lok Sabha elections 2024 Trivia: A peep into the history of Indian elections

Basic Introduction to The Loksabha Elections

Since India’s independence in 1947, Lok Sabha elections have been held regularly, marking the world’s largest democratic exercise. The first election in 1952 saw the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, emerging as the dominant party. Subsequent elections witnessed the rise of various political parties and coalitions, reflecting the diverse political landscape of India. Notable elections include 1977 when the Congress Party lost power for the first time to the Janata Party, only to return in 1980. The 1990s saw the emergence of coalition politics with the rise of regional parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, forming the government multiple times since 1996. The 2014 and 2019 elections witnessed the BJP securing clear majorities under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Over the years, Indian elections have evolved, reflecting the country’s socio-political dynamics and the aspirations of its diverse population.

 
History Of loksabha
Campaigning poster-during 1951-52 Elections

Important Years

  • 1952: The first Lok Sabha elections held, Indian National Congress (INC) led by Jawaharlal Nehru emerges dominant.

  • 1977: Congress loses power for the first time to the Janata Party in a significant electoral shift.

  • 1980: Congress returns to power after a brief hiatus.

  • 1990s: Emergence of coalition politics with the rise of regional parties.

  • Late 1990s – early 2000s: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gains prominence, forming the government multiple times since 1996.

  • 2014: BJP secures a clear majority under the leadership of Narendra Modi, marking a significant electoral victory.

  • 2019: BJP secures another landslide victory under Narendra Modi’s leadership, solidifying its position as a dominant political force.

  • Throughout the years, Indian elections have reflected the country’s diverse socio-political landscape and the evolving aspirations of its people, with varying outcomes and shifts in power dynamics.

First General election of India:1951-1952

In the inaugural nationwide election in India, spanning from 1951 to 1952, every contestant was assigned an individual voting container at polling stations, each distinguished by color. Each box displayed the candidate’s name and electoral emblem. Electors simply placed their provided ballot paper into the receptacle of their preferred candidate within the voting enclosure.

History Of loksabha
Steel ballot boxes were used in India’s first general election

Interesting Facts About India's First General Elections

The electoral process commenced on October 15, 1951, and concluded on February 21, 1952, encompassing a vast electorate exceeding 173 million (173,212,343). Initial voting occurred in the Chini and Pangi assembly segments of Himachal Pradesh, prior to winter, with the final 68th phase conducted in Uttar Pradesh.

History Of loksabha
People lining up For the First voting process

Fact number-2

The Election Commission printed the ballot papers at the Government of India Security Press located in Nashik, the same facility responsible for printing Indian currency notes.

History Of loksabha
A man carrying an Old man to Participate in the voting process

Fact number -3

The first general election had a total number of 1,874 candidates, including 533 independents. The number of political parties participating were 53, including 14 national parties.

History Of loksabha
People campaigning

Fact number - 4

A total of 196,084 polling stations were established across the nation, with 27,527 designated exclusively for female voters. Out of the 173 million eligible voters, 105,950,083 exercised their voting rights.

Unusual Image of Independent India's First Election in 1952

Fact number - 5

To aid in the electoral procedures, Section 159 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, permitted the deployment of local authority staff and government employees for election duties. Individuals from the private sector were intentionally excluded.

General Election Scenes in Delhi (January 1952). At the Town Hall Polling Station in Delhi: An Election Official is observed providing a identity Document to a voter.

Fact no - 6

Sukumar Sen, Head of the Election Commission, and PS Subramaniam, Commission Secretary, observed inspecting certain provisions of voting containers specially crafted for deployment in India’s monumental elections in October 1951. (Courtesy of the Photo Division, PIB)

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