1945 Indian general election

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General elections were held in British India in December 1945 to elect members of the Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of State.[2] Election under Government of India Act 1935 were held with limited franchise and only around 10% of the population in direct British controlled provinces were eligible to vote based on their income and property. The Indian National Congress emerged as the largest party, winning 57 of the 102 elected seats.[3] The Muslim League won all Muslim constituencies, but failed to win any other seats. Of the 13 remaining seats, 8 went to Europeans, 3 to independents, and 2 to Akali candidates in the Sikh constituencies of Punjab.[4] This election coupled with the provincial one in 1946 proved to be a strategic victory for Jinnah and the partitionists. Even though Congress won, the League had united the Muslim vote and as such it gained the negotiating power to seek a separate Muslim homeland as it became clear that a united India would prove highly unstable. The elected members later formed the Constituent Assembly of India.

Quick facts 102 elected seats 52 seats needed for a majority, First party ...
1945 Indian general election
← 1934
December 1945
1946 →
102 elected seats
52 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Leader Abul Kalam Azad[1] Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Party INC AIML
Seats won 57 30
Seat change Increase 15 Increase 30
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These were the last general elections in British India, subsequent elections in Independent India were held in 1951.

Background

On 19 September 1945, the Viceroy Lord Wavell announced that elections to the central and provincial legislatures would be held in December 1945 to January 1946. It was also announced that an executive council would be formed and a constitution-making body would be convened after these elections.[2][5]

Although the Government of India Act 1935 had proposed an all-India federation, it could not take place because the government held that the Princely states were unwilling to join it. Consequently, rather than choosing 375 members, only 102 elective seats were to be filled. Hence the elections to the central legislature were held under the terms of the Government of India Act 1919.

Results

Central Legislative Assembly

More information Party, Seats ...
PartySeats
Indian National Congress57
All-India Muslim League30
Akali Dal2
Europeans8
Independents5
Total102
Source: Schwartzberg Atlas[6]
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One Independent member from Bengal representing the Commerce Constituency (Bengal Mahajan Sabha) had after his election joined the INC changing the tally of the INC to 58 and Independents to 4.[7]

Membership by province

More information Province, Europeans ...
Province Europeans Independent Minor parties Congress
(General/Non-Muhammadan)		 Congress
(Non-General)		 Muslim League Total
Assam1021 4
Ajmer-Merwara11
Bengal31616 17
Bihar16310
Orissa22
Bombay21623 14
Central Provinces411 6
Delhi11
Madras11023 16
North West Frontier Province1[8]01
Punjab12 (Akali Dal)36[9]12
Sind112
United Provinces1186 16
Total85250[4]730102
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Members of the Central Legislative Assembly

[10]

Nominated members

Elected members

See also

References

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