Decoded: How Much Money Was Spent On India's Historic First-Ever Election Held In 68 Phases?

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Conducting India¡¯s election is an immense undertaking. The Election Commission (EC) faces the challenge of facilitating voting opportunities for citizens across the expansive breadth of our nation. Moreover, it must accommodate a substantial electorate ¡ª with approximately 96.8 crore individuals eligible to vote in this election.

However, organising an election on such a massive scale comes with significant expenses. Let's delve into the financial implications of conducting a Lok Sabha election and who bears the brunt of this expenditure.

How much does it cost to conduct the poll?

When India held its first election in 1951-52, spanning 68 phases, it cost the country Rs 10.5 crore to organise the Lok Sabha election. Since then, the cost has increased significantly, except for a drop in 1957. For instance, the cost was Rs 3,870 crore in 2014 and around Rs 50,000 crore or $7 billion in 2019 (more than the $6.5 billion spent during the 2016 US presidential election). In 1951, the Election Commission of India spent 6 paise per voter, which increased to Rs 46 per voter in 2014.

How Much Money Was Spent On India's Historic First-Ever Election Held In 68 Phases? | PIB

How India Held Its First Lok Sabha Election in 68 Phases

Just a few years after gaining independence, India held its first election between October 1951 and February 1952. This ambitious endeavor attracted significant attention both within the country and internationally.

The Election Commission office was established on 25 January 1950, and Sukumar Sen, an Indian Civil Services (ICS) officer, was appointed as its chief in March of the same year. Shortly after his appointment, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced that the country would go to the polls in the spring.

According to official data, 17.32 crore voters were enrolled across the country, excluding Jammu and Kashmir, with 45 per cent being women.

READ ALSO: How To Vote If You Live In A Different City?

Ballot Boxes and Party Symbols

One major task was creating ballot boxes and assigning party symbols. Since most voters were illiterate, the Election Commission decided to use symbols instead of printed names. For example, under Jawaharlal Nehru¡¯s leadership, the Congress party's symbol was a pair of oxen carrying a yoke. The All India Forward Bloc, once led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, used the symbol of a hand, now associated with the Congress.

Initially, the EC considered using different coloured ballot boxes for each candidate. Over a dozen manufacturers were contracted to supply 19 lakh steel ballot boxes. However, this plan proved impractical, and it was decided that each candidate would have a separate ballot box with their election symbol on it.

The EC printed nearly 62 crore ballot papers for the election. Each ballot paper was the size of a one-rupee note, pink in colour, and inscribed with "Election Commission India." Voters placed their ballot papers in the box assigned to their chosen candidate, ensuring a secret ballot.

The First Vote is Cast

After extensive preparation and many delays, voting for the first election began in October 1951 and continued in 68 phases. The first votes were cast in the tehsils of Chini and Pangi in Himachal Pradesh before winter snows cut off their valleys.

Once voting was completed, the counting began, and the results were declared on 2 April 1952. The Congress emerged victorious, winning 364 of the 489 Lok Sabha seats.

India¡¯s first election, which cost Rs 10.5 crore, ended successfully. Chief Election Commissioner Sukumar Sen called it the ¡°biggest experiment in democracy in human history.¡±

How Much Money Was Spent On India's First-Ever Election Held In 68 Phases? | Credit: finshots/LinkedIn

READ ALSO: What Is The Cost Of One Drop Of Voting Ink And Who Makes It?

FAQs:

Who was the first elected govt of India?

General elections to the first Lok Sabha since independence were held in India between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952. The Indian National Congress (INC) stormed into power, winning 364 of the 489 seats. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the country.

When was the first Lok Sabha held in India?

The First Lok Sabha was formed on 17th April 1952 following India's initial general election. It completed its entire term of five years and was dissolved on 4th April 1957. The First Session of this Lok Sabha began on 13th May 1952. There were a total of 489 Lok Sabha seats, and the number of eligible voters was 17.3 crores.

When was the first time Modi became CM?

In 2001, Modi was appointed Chief Minister of Gujarat and elected to the legislative assembly soon after.

Who is the first lady CM in India?

Sucheta Kripalani was the first Woman Chief Minister of India. She was elected the fourth chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from the Kanpur constituency and served a term of four years from 1963-1967.

READ ALSO: Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 For Delhi And Gurugram

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