Which of the following made the first general elections in India unusual?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The uniqueness of the first general election extended beyond the vast size of the country and the electorate. It served as a significant trial for democracy in a nation characterized by poverty and low literacy rates. Up until that point, democracy had predominantly thrived in prosperous countries, primarily in Europe and North America, where a majority of the population was literate. It is worth noting that, at that time, several European nations had not yet granted voting rights to all women. Against this backdrop, India's bold and daring endeavour to implement a universal adult franchise seemed audacious and fraught with risks.