History of Lok Sabha Elections

Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of the adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552, which is made up by election of up to 500 members to represent the States, up to 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than 2 members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President, if, in his/ her opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the lower house, Lok Sabha.

In 1952 Lok Sabha Elections there were 1874 candidates, which rose to 13952 candidates in 1996. However, in 2009 Lok Sabha Elections only 8070 candidates contested. Historical share of seats and votes of major political parties are ranked by the number of seats won.

Data from Wikipedia

Abbreviations:

·         AIADMK - All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

·         BJP - Bharatiya Janata Party

·         AAP - Aam Aadmi Party

·         BJS - Bharatiya Jana Sangh

·         BLD - Bharatiya Lok Dal

·         CPI - Communist Party of India

·         CPM - Communist Party of India (Marxist)

·         INC - Indian National Congress

·         INC(I) - Indian National Congress (Indira)

·         JD - Janata Dal

·         JNP(S) - Janata Party (Secular)

·         JP - Janata Party

·         PSP - Praja Socialist Party

·         RLD - Rashtrya Lok Dal

·         SOC - Socialist Party

·         SP - Samajwadi Party

·         SWA - Swatantra Party

·         TDP - Telugu Desam Party

·         TRS - Telangana Rashtra Samithi

·         YSRCP - YSR Congress Party