PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1039
The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (a) Yes.
(b) While it is not possible to make any precise estimate as to the probable demand for copies of the electoral rolls, arrangements have been made to ensure that every duly nominated candidate and every organised party in a constituency will be able to obtain a copy.
(c) The information is being collected by the Election Commission and will be laid on the Table of the House in due course.
(33)
*WEST BENGAL LEGISLATURE (VACANCIES)
3845. Shri Chattopadhyaya : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State—
(a) how many seats in West Bengal Legislature were lying vacant . for more than a year in 1950-51;
(b) for how many of them no elections have been held as yet;
(c) whether they will be filled up before the coming general election; and
(d) the reason for their lying vacant so long ?
The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (While the Government of India as such are not concerned with the filling of casual vacancies in the State Legislatures, the following information has been obtained from the Election Commission:—
(a) Seven,
(b) Two
(c) It is expected that bye-elections to fill the remaining two seats will be held very soon.
(d) The delay in filling these vacancies is stated to be due to the uncertainty which existed for some time in regard to the term of the present West Bengal Legislative Assembly owing firstly to the proposed re-constitution of that Assembly and secondly to the earlier decision to hold the general elections in April-May, 1951.
*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 5th May 1951, p. 3931.