The number of eligible voters at the time of first general election to Lok Sabha were:

17 crore

The correct answer is option (3) - 17 crore

Preparing for the first general election became a monumental undertaking, unparalleled in its scale. With approximately 17 crore eligible voters, tasked with electing around 3,200 Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and 489 Members of the Lok Sabha, it was clear that special measures were needed. Only 15 percent of the eligible voters were literate, necessitating the implementation of a unique method of voting. The Election Commission trained over 3 lakh officers and polling staff to conduct the elections, ensuring the smooth execution of this historic event.