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1957 Manipur Territorial Council election

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Elections to the Manipur Territorial Council were held between 25 February and 11 March 1957. It was the first council election since the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union. The election produced a fractured outcome in which the Indian National Congress became the largest party but without holding a majority in the council. Eventually the Congress could obtain a majority of seats due to migration of Independent council members into the party fold.

Background

After Manipur merged with the Indian Union in 1949, it became a 'Part C' state without a legislature under the 1950 Constitution. In 1954 there was a mass protest movement in Manipur demanding an elected state government. With the passing of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 Manipur was upgraded to Union Territory on 1 November 1956, to be administered by a Chief Commissioner and a Territorial Council. The provisions for the Territorial Council election was set out in the Union Territorial Council Act, 1956, passed by the Indian parliament.

Electoral system and preparations

The Manipur Territorial Council election took place alongside the 1957 Lok Sabha (parliament) election. Voting took place on 25 February, 2 March and 11 March 1957. Per the Union Territorial Council Act, 1956 the Manipur Territorial Council would have 30 elected members and 2 members nominated by the Government of India. There would be 30 geographic constituencies electing a single member each – the Valley would have 20 seats and the Hills 10 seats. There was no reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The electorate consisted of 330,211 registered voters – 161,337 men and 168,874 women. Four parties contested the election – the Indian National Congress, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India and the Praja Socialist Party. There was also a large cohort of independent candidates in the fray. All in all, 148 candidates contested the election.

Result

Party Valley Hills Total
Candidates Seats
won 		Candidates Seats
won 		Candidates Seats
won 		Votes %
Indian National Congress 20 9 10 3 30 12 48,771 28.01%
Socialist Party 18 5 5 2 23 7 34,566 19.87%
Communist Party of India 16 4 1 0 17 4 19,840 11.40%
Praja Socialist Party 20 0 1 0 21 0 10,076 5.78%
Independents 38 2 19 5 57 7 60,834 34.94%

There were only 85 invalid votes cast. The highest number of votes polled was that of the Socialist Party candidate Laisram Achaw Singh in the Wangkhei-Kongba constituency, who obtained 4,667 votes (45.22%). In parallel to the Territorial Council election, Laisram Achaw Singh also contested the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and was elected to Parliament. The smallest number of votes of any winning candidate was that of the Congress candidate in the Hiyanglam-Sugnoo constituency (956 votes). Among the 148 candidates there was a single woman, CPI candidate T. Sabi Devi in the Wangkhei-Kongba constituency. T. Sabi Devi was a resident of Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal and had been a prominent leader of the 1939 Nupi Lal women's movement. She was one of five candidates in the fray in the constituency, but lost her deposit having received 482 votes (4.67%).

Elected members

Manipur Territorial Council members elected in 1957
No. Constituency Member Party Region Geographic area of the constituency
1. Khurai Kongbrailatpam Borthakur Sarma Socialist Valley Circle IV of Imphal pana of East Imphal tahsil
2. Wangkhei-Kongba Laisram Achaw Singh Socialist Valley Circle III of Imphal pana of East Imphal tahsil
3. Irinbung-Yairipok-Top Chingtha Muhammad Amzed Ali Congress Valley Circle III and V of Khabam pana of East Imphal tahsil
4. Lamlai-Keirao Tongbram Kundo Singh Communist Valley Circle II and IV of Khabam pana of East Imphal tahsil
5. Sagolmang Athokpam Thabi Singh Communist Valley Circle I of Khabam pana and Circle I of Naharup pana of East Imphal tahsil, as well as various Hill villages
6. Sekmai-Lamsang Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh Congress Valley Circles II, III and IV of Naharup pana of Imphal West tahsil
7. Salam Khumbong-Konthaujam Khoisnam Heitombi Singh Communist Valley Circles V and VI of Naharup pana of Imphal West tahsil
8. Uripok-Lalambung-Thangmeiband Hidangmayum Dwijamani Sharma Congress Valley Circle I (Part I) of Imphal pana of Imphal West tahsil
9. Sagolband Nongthombam Ibomcha Singh Independent Valley Circle I (Part II) of Imphal pana of Imphal West tahsil
10. Keishamthong Laisram Kulachandra Singh Socialist Valley Circle II (Part I) of Imphal pana of Imphal West tahsil
11. Singjamei Thokchom Chandrasekhar Singh Socialist Valley Circle II (Part II) of Imphal pana of Imphal West tahsil
12. Wangoi-Mayang Imphal Ningthoujam Tomchow Singh Independent Valley Circles I and VI of Ahalloop pana of Imphal West tahsil
13. Nambol-Keinou Yumnam Yaima Singh Congress Valley Circles II and III of Ahalloop pana of Bishenpur tahsil
14. Bishenpur-Moirang Hemam Nilamani Singh Congress Valley Circles IV and V of Ahalloop pana of Bishenpur tahsil
15. Kumbi-Thanga Mairembam Koireng Singh Congress Valley Circle VII of Ahalloop pana of Bishenpur tahsil
16. Hiyanglam-Sugnoo Elangbam Nadi Singh Congress Valley Circle V and Hiyanglam, Wabgai, Keirak and Mayenglamjao villages of Circle IV of Laifam pana of Thoubal tahsil
17. Kakching-Wangjing Khundongbam Itocha Singh Communist Valley Circle VII of Khabam pana and Pallel, Kakching, Mantak, Irengband and Sora villages of Laifam pana of Thoubal tahsil
18. Charangpat-Khonjom Sorokhaibam Chourajit Singh Congress Valley Circle III of Laifam pana and Pechi, Langmeithet, Bengi, Icham Thana, Thokchom, Charangpat Mamang, Charangpat Maklang, Foudel, Hayel Loubook, Bishnu Naha and Wangkhem villages of Circle VI of Khabam pana of Thoubal tahsil
19. Thoubal-Chandrakhong Waikhom Nimaichand Singh Independent Valley Circle II of Laifam pana and Phanjang-Khong, Ningel, Chandrakhong, Kakmayai How-Leikai, Leirongthel, Malom, Bitr, Sekmai-Khunbi, Kwarok Maring, Khudei Khunou, Khoirom, Kekru, Bamon Leikai, Sikhong, Sikhong Khunou, Ingourok, Ukhongsang and Lourembam villages of Circle VI of Khabam pana of Thoubal tahsil
20. Lilong Muhammad Alimuddin Congress Valley Circle I of Laifam pana of Thoubal tahsil
21. Tengnuoupal Paokhohang Independent Hills Tengnoupal Circle
22. Phaisat Rishang Keishing Socialist Hills The villages of the former Phaisat Circle (now merged with the Ukhrul Subdivision)
23. Ukhrul Ngalangzar Congress Hills Ukhrul Subdivision sans the villages from the former Phaisat Circle
24. Mao East Ngaono Thoiso Independent Hills Khamson, Ngatan, Thayang Khullen, Calam, Yanoi, Chawal, Tingsung, Changsang Changjapao, Changsang Solet, Laisang Phoong, Washangphung, Ngawar, Ngamju, Theba Khunou, Thingba Khunou, Thingba Khullen, Oinam, Purul Atongba, Purul Akutpa, Koidei Maiba, Ngari Khullen, Ngari Khunou, Ngari Khullen-X'tian, Thiwa, Khungdei Basti X'tian, Lakhamei, Shirung, Kadong, Phaibung Khullen, Phaibung Khunou, Laii, Chingmai Khullen, Chingmai Khunou, Kataphumai, Liyai, Phuba, Thongjoy, Saranamei, Tungam Khunou and Tungam Khullen villages of Mao Circle
25. Mao West Sibo Larho Congress Hills Pudunamei, Rubunamei, Punanamei, Chawainu, Songsong, Kalinamei, Tadabi, Sajouba, Makhel Khullen, Makhel Kaibi, Chakumai, Makhan, Chawainamei Khullen, Chawainaemei Khunou, Pudong, Maram Khullen, Karong, Khongnem Phoupi, Khongnem, Khabong Chalhang, Maram, Khunou, Maram Khunou Gurkhali, Taphou Khangdebi, Taphou Kuku, Phoibung, Sadim Pukhri, Sadim Luikang, Sadim Khongjai, Sorbund, Silasi, Oklong, Kangyang, Songtun, Songlun Khunou, Leikot, Pheilenkot, Chaka, Razamei, Wilong, Sangkhongmei, Yangkhullen, Yangkhunou, Thuyeng, Tamphung and Monoilam villages of Mao Circle
26. Aimol Athuibo Socialist Hills The villages of the former Aimol Circle (now merged with the Tamenglong Subdivision)
27. Tamenglong Kabipu Kabui Independent Hills Tamenglong Subdivision sans the villages from the former Aimol Circle
28. Jiri Sinam Bijoy Singh Congress Hills Jiribam Subdivision
29. Thanlon Vungkhom Independent Hills The villages of the former Thanlon Circle (now merged with the Churachandpur Subdivision)
30. Churachandpur Paolen Independent Hills Churachandpur Subdivision sans the villages from the former Thanlon Circle
Nominated R.K. Muthra Devi Congress
Nominated Anal Akim Congress

Notes

  1. In 1957 the Socialist Party had not been able to register with the Election Commission of India, and contested general elections across India as Independents. As of 1959–1960 the strength of parties in the Manipur Territorial Council was reported as Congress 17, Socialist 6, Communist 4 and Independents 3. Six of the seven Socialists elected in 1957 can be identified by the 1959–1960 Times of India Directory. And as outlined in the table below, five members elected as Independents in 1957 (including one Valley socialist member) had joined the Congress by 1959–1960 whilst two Congress members had become Independents.
  2. Socialist Party leader Laisram Achaw Singh was also elected to the Lok Sabha in the 1957 election, representing the Inner Manipur constituency. India, a Reference Annual 1959 lists the Wangkhei-Kongba seat as 'vacant'. The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959–60 lists the socialist Thokchom Angou Singh as the member from Wangkhei-Kongba.
  3. The Hill villages included in the Sagolmang constituency were Sadanlonga, Makokching, Purum, Khullen, Maibung, Wakan, Lanching, Khamenlok, Khongbal, Tangkhul, Chingmang Maring Tongba, Khangbal Khongjai, Tongkoi, Thayong Chanung, Laikot, Laikot Kom and Khunou, Monoi, Waichei, Waichei Sadar, Samusong, Chingdai Khullen and Khunou, Thangkal Keirao, Thangkal Thanglenba, Makokching Sadu Koireng, Makokching, Sadang Thangkul, Sadangkhonja, Machot, Khuman, Makeng Nganek, Makeng Moloikan, Makeng Nguljadou, Makeng Chinaba, Phaikon, Songbem, Saikul, Aimol Chengjapao, Angom Patong, Laphurak, Sellam Ching, Henjang, Hlongenin, Hongsum, Kangpokpi (v. number 112 including Toribari, Kalapahar and Keithelmanbi), Kangpokpi (v. number 114), Keithelmanbi Military Colony, Thumnoupokpi, Songbem-Helkhotbang, Tumuyon Khunou, Tokpa Kacha Naga, Haipi Kuki, Longphou Bongmel, Sajor-Kangpokpi, Tuyang Kipgen, Heinoupokpi, Kangpokpo Mission Compound, Kangpokpi Forest, Tumayon Khullen, Changounbung, Hengbung, Mayangkhang, Maching, Tuipayang, Hengjang, Motbung Saitu Naga, Leilon Waiphei, Makaan Kasha Naga, Khunkhu Kiki, Khunkhu Kacha Naga, Karakhum Naga, Buhpi, Phoipi Thengpaoo, Mapao Thanga Konsa Kacha Naga, Mapao Khullen, Mapao Christian, Aithu Mangthup, Phayang, Ngaikhokin, Khong-Jang, Haikon Kanglatongbi, Phoibi Laloon, Siroi Kanglatongpi, Thingsat, Khongnangpal Ekpal Chingkha, Charbung, Phairen Kangpokpi, Loowang Sangol, Kharam Thadoikom, Kharam Waifei, Ireng Kacha Naga, Kangchup Bangla Makheng, Kangchup Cairu, Natok Kabui, Natoi Kuki, Lamdaibung, Jukanu, Longa Koireng (Kharam), Sinam Holngam, Maha Koireng, Kharam Palel, Maringtongba, Yonga Koireng, Shinam Khaitheng, Thanling Chiru, Shintha-Pakang, Aimog Tumkhong, Wainem Kabui, Beitum, Loibon Khullen, Loibon Khunou, Tingkhai Khunou, Tingkhai Kullen, Ichum Keirak, Mongbang Khoripok, Sarbung, Phonjang, Wayang, Tulang Khunou, Joulin Thangkhup, Parengba Kabui, Charoipandongba Chiru, Charoipandongba Kabui, Nungshai Chiru, Satunmonsanba-Kabui, Satumonsamba Kuki, Nungang Kabui, Laimaton Kuki and Bungte Chiru.
  4. ^ Listed as an Independent in The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959–60.
  5. ^ Listed as an Indian National Congress member in The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959–60.
  6. Paokhohang also contested the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat election, in which he finished in fourth place with 16.66% of the vote.
  7. ^ Listed as an Indian National Congress member in The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959-60.
  8. Rishang also contested the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat election, in which he finished in third place with 21.30% of the vote.
  9. Paolen reportedly joined the Indian National Congress in 1957. Listed as an Indian National Congress member in The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959–60.

Aftermath

The Manipur Territorial Council was constituted on 16 August 1957. On 2 September 1957 the Chief Commissioner P.C. Matthew nominated two women as council members – R.K. Mukhara Devi and Anal Akim. The two nominated female council members would eventually join the Indian National Congress. On 5 September 1957 the Territorial Council elected its chairman. The election of chairman was marred by the divisions in the Congress faction in the council. H. Dwijamani Deva Sharma defeated Mairembam Koireng Singh in a vote for the post of chairman. On 27 September 1957 Sharma was dismissed from the post of chairman, and Sibo Larho from the Indian National Congress was elected new chairman on 8 October 1957. The tenure of the Territorial Council elected in 1957 remained until the next Territorial Council election in 1962.

References

  1. ^ A. Prafullokumar Singh. Elections and political dynamics. Mittal Publications, 2009. pp. 26–27
  2. ^ Tara Boland-Crewe, David Lea. The Territories and States of India. Routledge, 2003.
  3. ^ Pradip Phanjoubam. The Northeast Question: Conflicts and frontiers. Routledge, 2015
  4. ^ Manipur Legislative Assembly. History of Manipur Legislative Assembly
  5. ^ Kh. Gourachandra Singh. MANIPURI WOMEN IN ASSEMBlY ELECTIONS, in Manipur Today, August 2022
  6. ^ Singh, O. Kulabidhu. PARTICIPATION OF MANIPURI WOMEN IN ELECTIONS A Critical Analysis. The Indian Journal of Political Science, vol. 70, no. 3, 2009, pp. 897–906. JSTOR
  7. ^ Singh, Rabindra Pratap. Electoral Politics in Manipur: A Spatio-temporal Study. New Delhi: Concept publishing company, 1981. pp. 21, 26–30
  8. ^ General Statutory Rules and Orders: As modified up to the 1st December, 1963. Manager of Publications, 1960. pp. 486–487
  9. Roach, James R. India's 1957 Elections. Far Eastern Survey, vol. 26, no. 5, 1957, pp. 65–78. JSTOR
  10. ^ The Times Of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1957–58. p. 973
  11. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1957 : To the Second Lok Sabha Volume-I" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-20.
  12. ^ Rao, V. Venkata (1991). A Century of Government and Politics in North East India, 1874-1980: Manipur. S. Chand.
  13. ^ Thomas, C. Joshua; Gopalakrishnan, Ramamoorthy; Singh, R. K. Ranjan (2001). Constraints in Development of Manipur. Regency Publications . ISBN 978-81-87498-30-8.
  14. ^ India, a Reference Annual. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1958. pp. 491–492
  15. ^ India, a Reference Annual. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1959. p. 471
  16. ^ The Times Of India Directory And Year Book Including Whos Who 1959–60. p. 1093
  17. India, a Reference Annual. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1960. p. 464
  18. ^ Manipur Gazette. January 11, 1957. pp. 2–4
  19. E-Pao. Ex-MLA Paolen Haokip passes away
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