PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1001
The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar ) : ( a ) No definite dates have been fixed for the first general elections to the House of the People. It is obviously too early to do so.
( b ) As regards the preparation of electoral rolls, attention is invited to the reply given on the 9th December last to Starred Question No. 469 in the last section of the Constituent Assembly (Legislative). Some further progress has been made by the States during the last two months. The office of the Chief Election Commissioner has been set up, and that authority is expected to be appointed by the President in the near future. The preparation of a comprehensive Bill covering various matters relating to elections has also been taken in hand.
Shri Deshbandhu Gupta : Has the Minister’s attention been drawn to the statement made by the Prime Minister recently that elections would be held by the end of 1950 ? May I know if that is the decision of the Government and, if so, whether the progress made in the preparation of electoral rolls, etc., is sufficient for holding the elections in 1950 ?
The Prime Minister (Shri Jawaharlal Nehru) : My statement was “during the next winter”, not by the end of this year : but 1950-51 winter.
Shri Tyagi : What arrangements are being made to hold bye-elections in the various States for seats which have fallen vacant during the last six or seven months ?
Dr. Ambedkar : This is a matter which is left to the Governors of the Provinces and they are also under such orders as the President is authorised by the Constitution to give in this behalf.
Shri Vyas : Have Government given any special attention to get the electoral rolls prepared in the case of such States where there are no Legislatures at present ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Certainly.
Shri Bharati: May I know if it is a fact that the Government of India have asked the Provinces and States to give their opinion