Vol. 15 · pages 1061–1065

1042 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Dr. Ambedkar: They will be settled in sufficient time to enable the elections to take place in the period prescribed. (35) *GENERAL ELECTIONS 4553. Shri Sidhva: (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state whether besides the Government of Madras, it is a fact that the Orissa Government has suggested to the Union Government that the General Elections should be held in January-February, 1952 ? (b) If so, what reply has been sent by the Union Government to the Orissa Government ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) and (b) A communication was received by the Election Commission from the Orissa Government pointing out certain difficulties in fixing a common period of polling for all the districts in that State within the months of November-December, 1951 and suggesting that from this point of view January-February might be more suitable. The State Government had however expressed their willingness to adhere to the November-December time-table, provided polling could be held in some parts of the State in the latter half of November and in the remaining parts from 10th to 22nd December, 1951. The Election Commission has replied to the State Government that the programme for polling can in no circumstances be allowed to go beyond December, 1951 and that the Commission has no objection to the polling being spread over November-December as proposed though efforts should be made to reduce the total period of polling to four weeks if possible. Shri Sidhva: As definite months have been fixed by the Government, may I know whether there is any likelihood of a change in those months ? Dr. Ambedkar: As at present situated there is no likelihood of change but I cannot say what may happen in the future. Mr. Speaker: I may say the question to confined is Orissa. *P. D., Vol. 8, Part I, 26th May 1951, p. 4684.

1043PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES Seth Govind Das: Is ft a fact that in view of the information being received from Orissa and other places as also in view of the preparations of elections that are going on at present, the Hon. Minister has expressed the opinion that it is impossible to hold elections before January-February, and further if it is not a fact, then will the Hon. Minister make a clear statement that there is not the least likelihood of the election being postponed beyond 31st December, 1951 ? Mr. Speaker: That is what he just said. Seth Govind Das: I just wanted to know whether it was a fact that the Hon. Minister himself had expressed this opinion before many responsible persons that Mr. Speaker: Order, order. No argument on that point. Shri Biswanath Das: May I know whether the Government are aware of the fact that the monsoons are active there in the months of November-December ? . Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose the Election Commission has taken everything into account in fixing the time-table. (36) *REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS 4565. Shri Kamath: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state: (a) Whether Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission are proposed to be appointed in accordance with Article 324 (4) of the Constitution; and (b) If so, how many and by what date ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Yes. (b) Four. No decision has yet been taken as to the date from which they are to be appointed. * P. D., Vol. 8, Part I, 26th May 1951, p. 4702.

1044 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (37) *FIXING OF ELECTION DATES 93. Shri Kamath : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state : (a) Whether Government have decided upon a date or dates for the holding of elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies; (b) If so, what that decision is, and between winch dates polling will be held in each of the States; (c) By what date the final results are expected to be declared with regard to the House of the People as well as the various State Legislative Assemblies; and (d) When it is proposed to constitute the Council of States at the Centre and Legislative Councils in the States, and to elect the President of the Indian Union ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Yes. (b) Polling is scheduled to begin on or about the 3rd January and end by the 24th January, 1952, subject to such minor adjustments of the dates as might be necessary to meet exceptional difficulties that might exist in certain areas. In Himachal Pradesh, in parts of Kangra district in Punjab and, possibly in the high attitude regions of Uttar Pradesh, the polling may have to be finished by the end of October this year, since later on these, areas will get snow-bound. (c) The Election Commission has proposed the 15th February 1952 as the date by which the declaration of results is to be completed. (d) While it is not possible to say precisely at this stage when the Council of States and the State Legislative Councils will be constituted, it is expected that on the basis of the programme outlined above, it should be possible to constitute these Houses by about the end of March 1952. The election of the President will take place immediately after the due constitution of the two Houses of Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies. *P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 116.

1045PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (38) *DATES OF GENERAL ELECTION IN STATES 114. Shri J. N. Hazarika: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state: (a) Whether the States have fixed the dates, for the next General Elections, in their respective States, if so, which are such States and the dates fixed by them; and (b) Whether the constituencies have been called to elect their representatives to Parliament and State Assemblies ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) No, Sir. The Election Commission has addressed the State Governments on the subject. (b) No. Shrimati Durgabai: Has the attention of the Hon. Minister been drawn to the recent broadcast talk by the Chief Election Commissioner to the effect that nearly 25 lakhs of women voters are disqualified; if so, may I know whether opportunities will be taken of the postponement to qualify the disqualified women voters ? Dr. Ambedkar : It does not arise out of this question. This question relates to the dates of election and not to electoral rolls. Shri Kamath : In view of the fact that polling in Himachal Pradesh will take place by the end of October, has Government already announced the exact date of polling so as to enable the voters as well as the candidates to get on with their work ? Dr. Ambedkar: I have no doubt about it that Government will take all the necessary steps. Shri Kamath: Has Government any idea as to when the First Session of the new Parliament is likely to be convened ? Dr. Ambedkar: Well, it could not be convened unless all the preliminary stages have been gone through. * P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 117.

1046 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Shri Durgabai: May I know whether the women of Rajasthan have sent a memorandum in regard to the electoral rolls ? Dr. Ambedkar: It does not arise out of this. Shrimati Renuka Ray: It does arise because the question relates to the dates of the election. Mr. Deputy Speaker: It is a very important matter, of course. But unfortunatly it does not relate to this question. Seth Govind Das : The Hon. Minister was pleased to state the date of the polling, but are the Government preparing a complete scheme for the preliminary work that has to be done in connection with polling e.g., nomination and other things and, if so, when will the dates for nomination, scrutiny and polling be made known ? Dr. Ambedkar : That is already set out in the People’s Representation Act. Shri Sondhi : In view of the fact that simultaneous voting will have to take place both for the State Legislature and the House of the People, will it be necessary to have at least seven constituencies of the State to complete one for the House of the People in Kangra district in Punjab ? Dr. Ambedkar: Whatever is necessary will have to be done. Government certainly will not tolerate any irregularity with regard to elections. Shri Sondhi: There are five plains seats and two hills seats. I want to know whether elections will be for seven or only two ? Dr. Ambedkar: These are governed by rules; I think exceptions will be made when circumstances justify. Shri Sondhi: I want to know because polling is going to take place shortly. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Minister may not carry with him details with respect to every single constituency. Hon. Members will therefore appreciate the difficulty. Shri Sondhi: Because the time now left is only two months.