Vol. 15 · pages 1081–1085

1062 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Dr. Ambedkar: There is no question of literacy or illiteracy. There was no question of marking in that. Shri Sidhva: Even then what was the general impression of the Commissioner regarding the mock election ? Does he feel…….. Dr. Ambedkar: I am afraid he has not given me the impression he has formed, Seth Govind Das : The Hon. Minister has just stated that so far a report from Orissa only has been received and that reports from other Provinces have not been received yet. Have the Government fixed any date by which these mock elections should be held in the States and reports submitted to the Government of India ? Dr. Ambedkar: I don’t think this is a matter in which the Government could assume or arrogate to itself the authority of issuing a directive. Seth Govind Das: No, Sir, it is not a question of authority Shri Bhatt: Will the Hon. Minister please tell whether the mock elections that were held were for the State Legislative Assemblies and the House of the People both together ? Dr. Ambedkar: I believe so. Shri Chattopadhyaya: Was any such mock election held in any of the Centrally Administered Areas and, if so, why has no report been received? Dr. Ambedkar: I have really no information as to in what States and whether in Centrally Administered Areas they were held, but I am sure they must have been. Shri Kamath : Did these mock elections include mock candidates and mock officers also ? Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose they had scare-crows. Shri R. Velayudhan: From the impression gained from this rehearsal of mock election, will the next general election also be a mock election ? Dr. Ambedkar: Very likely. Shri Sidhva: May I know the total number of voters who participated in this mock election?

1063PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES Dr. Ambedkar: I have no information. (50) *OBJECTIONS TO ELECTORAL ROLLS 534. Shri Kamath: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state: (a) The total number of claims and objections filed in respect of the preliminary electoral rolls in each of the Part “A”, Part “B” and Part “C” States ; (b) the number disposed of so far in each State; and (c) the number of claims and objections allowed so far in each State ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Abedkar): (a) to (c). A statement showing the position with regard to the number of claims and objections received and disposed of in the various States as on 1st August 1951, is laid on the Table of the House. (See Appendix IV, Annexure No. 17.) Shri Kamath : The statement laid on the Table shows, Sir, that in Hyderabad also 4,284 women voters were disenfranchised. Were they disenfranchised for the same reasons as women in Rajasthan were disenfranchised or for different reasons ? Dr. Ambedkar: I am afraid I must have notice of the question. Shri Kamath : Is it a fact that the disenfranchised women of Rajasthan or their organisations, or their representatives have recently made a representation to the Government for getting their disenfranchisement removed ? Dr. Ambedkar: Yes, they have. Shri Kamath: Is that representation of theirs under active consideration ? Dr. Ambedkar : We are considering it but we are not quite certain whether we can give any relief. *P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 27th August 1951, p. 667.

1064 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Shri Kamath: When, Sir, are the final electoral rolls likely to be published ? Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose pretty soon—I have not got the exact date. Shri Kamath: No date has been fixed so far ? Dr. Ambedkar: Well, it certainly will be pretty soon. Shrimati Renuka Ray : Will Government take steps to see that relief is given to the disenfranchised women in Rajasthan? Dr. Ambedkar: The question of the relief really depends upon whether we can finish the registration of these women on the electoral rolls, allow sufficient time for raising objections and for the disposal of objections so that the electoral rolls could be finalised before the date of election. All these things hang together. Shrimati Renuka Ray: Considering that it is due to no fault on their part and that the enumerators were not instructed properly either, does not Government think it necessary to take steps to see that this defect is remedied and those women are enlisted as voters ? Dr. Ambedkar: Well, I am afraid we are not discussing who is at fault—we are discussing what the fact is. , Shri R. C. Upadhyaya: Is it a fact that the Prime Minister has assured that delegation of women from Rajasthan that something will be done in that direction ? Dr. Ambedkar: I am sure about it that the Prime Minister’s assurance must be subject to the law of the land. Shri Kamath: Did, Sir, the Election Commission receive complaints that in certain areas, in certain States even dead persons were brought on the preliminary rolls ? Dr. Ambedkar: It does happen—I am sure about it. Shri Kamath: It did happen ? Shri Sondhi : Mr. Deputy Speaker, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister is here in the House would it not be better if he made a statement in this behalf?

1065PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES The Prime Minister (Shri Jawaharlal Nehru): My colleague, the Law Minister has made it quite clear that neither I nor any other member of the Government can give an assurance against the law—it is obvious. In this matter I have taken very particular care not to interfere in any way with the discretion of the Election Commissioner. All I have done is if anybody has come to me I have sent him on, or sent her on, to the Election Commissioner. I have certainly, when this matter came before me, expressed my sympathy with the fact that a large number of women voters have been left out and I think the whole House will feel that way; the Electtion Commissioner himself wants to put them in subject to the law. How that is to be done is entirely a matter for the Election Commissioner. All sympathy was there but the only assurance I gave was of my sympathy but not of how it is to be done. Shri Kamath: As regards the electoral rolls, has the Prime Minister received a deputation from only Rajasthan women or from anyone else also ? Shri Jawaharlal Nehru: So far as I can remember they were only from Rajasthan—there may be one or two sympathisers with them from other States. Seth Govind Das: So far as law is concerned, it is not unchangeable. Changes always occur in the law. Then, is it not possible to do something to include these women in the lists for there is still time for the elections to take place ? The measure relating to Part C States has come up and the present session of Parliament is also going to continue for some time. Is not then some arrangement possible to remove these difficulties ? Dr. Ambedkar: I would like to tell my hon. friend that it would require exactly not less than two months if relief is to be given from now. That means the election will have to be postponed. Shri R. C. Upadhyaya: Cannot the Government amend by proper legislation the mention of Mrs. so-and-so in the electoral rolls? The Minister of State for Finance (Shri Tyagi): Husband’s name cannot be amended.

1066 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Shri R. C. Upadhyaya: Not husband’s name but......... Dr. Ambedkar: The procedure for registration has been laid down by the law and that procedure must be followed. Shri R. C. Upadhyaya: Cannot it be changed ? Dr. Ambedkar: Well, the law can be changed—it is in the hands of Parliament. I don’t know how long the law will take to be amended if it is placed before Parliament. An hon. Member: Five minutes. Shrimati Renuka Ray: If the law is changed then these could be included in the voter’s list. Surely, that is the only possible way. Therefore, will Government consider placing a Bill before Parliament ? Dr. Ambedkar: It seems to me difficult to entertain a proposition that there should be one law for males and one law for females. Mr. Deputy Speaker: We are arguing this matter out. Next question. (51) *ELECTION COMMISSIONERS IN STATES 535. Shri Kamath: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state: (a) whether Regional Election Commissioners have been appointed and the requisite electoral machinery set up in each of the States ; and (b) if not, by what date, it is proposed to be constituted ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): ( a) and (b) So far, no Regional Election Commissioners have been appointed, but the question of appointing 3 or 4 such officers is under active consideration. I pressume that by the expression “requisite electoral machinery” the hon. Member means the various officers to be appointed in connection with the actual conduct of elections. The position is as follows. Steps *P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 27th August 1951, p. 670.