Double-member constituencies could elect two Dalit representatives in one district

Evidence

Thus, if the scheduled groups polled the largest number of votes in the second category the system will produce two of their representatives, instead of one as in the system of reserved constituency” (1979, 19). Even the Poona Pact worked on the basis of such double-member constituencies, and these continued to operate in India till 1961, when they were abolished after two Scheduled Tribe candidates “got higher votes than the two non-tribal candidates and were declared elected” (Baxi 1979, 19), resulting in the defeat of the Congress stalwart and future President of India V.V. Giri from the Parvatipuram constituency in Andhra Pradesh in 1959 to Dippala Suri Dora. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1335

Categorization

Category: Definitional Content

• DEFINE: Explains the DMC mechanism — how the second category allowed a second Dalit representative beyond the reserved seat.

Related

• Double-member constituencies let Untouchables elect their own representatives exclusively (similarity 0.81)

Broader Connections

• Congress abolished double-member constituencies after a tribal candidate defeated V.V. Giri #complicates (0.70)
• Dalit candidates rarely win from non-reserved constituencies because non-Dalit votes do not transfer #expands (0.60)