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{{Short description|Election in Manipur, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
'''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 [[India|Indian Union]] in 1949, it became a 'Part C' state without a legislature under the 1950 Constitution.<ref name=apsi/><ref name=tbdl/> In 1954 there was a mass protest movement in Manipur demanding an elected state government.<ref name=pph/> 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.<ref name=mnla>Manipur Legislative Assembly. ''[https://www.assembly.mn.gov.in/ History of Manipur Legislative Assembly]''</ref><ref name=pph>Pradip Phanjoubam. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=YBStCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT172 The Northeast Question: Conflicts and frontiers]''. Routledge, 2015</ref><ref name=tbdl>Tara Boland-Crewe, David Lea. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=lXCOAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT371 The Territories and States of India]''. Routledge, 2003.</ref> The provisions for the Territorial Council election was set out in the Union Territorial Council Act, 1956, passed by the [[Parliament of India|Indian parliament]].<ref name=apsi>A. Prafullokumar Singh. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=b3TwS0WRn5kC&pg=PA26 Elections and political dynamics]''. Mittal Publications, 2009. pp. 26–27</ref><ref name=kgsi/><ref name=oksi/>

==Electoral system and preparations==
The Manipur Territorial Council election took place alongside the [[1957 Indian general election|1957 Lok Sabha (parliament) election]].<ref name=rpsi/> Voting took place on 25 February, 2 March and 11 March 1957.<ref name=kgsi/> 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.<ref name=kgsi/><ref name=oksi/> There would be 30 geographic constituencies electing a single member each – the Valley would have 20 seats and the Hills 10 seats.<ref name=kgsi/><ref name=apsi/><ref name=gsrao>''[https://books.google.at/books?id=1hpQAQAAMAAJ General Statutory Rules and Orders: As modified up to the 1st December, 1963]''. Manager of Publications, 1960. pp. 486–487</ref> There was no reservation of seats for [[Scheduled Caste]]s and [[Scheduled Tribe]]s.<ref name=apsi/> The electorate consisted of 330,211 registered voters – 161,337 men and 168,874 women.<ref name=rpsi>Singh, Rabindra Pratap. ''[https://books.google.at/books/about/Electoral_Politics_in_Manipur.html?id=ww-KAAAAMAAJ Electoral Politics in Manipur: A Spatio-temporal Study]''. New Delhi: Concept publishing company, 1981. pp. 21, 26–30</ref> Four parties contested the election – the [[Indian National Congress]], the [[Socialist Party of India (1955)|Socialist Party]], the [[Communist Party of India]] and the [[Praja Socialist Party]].<ref name="apsi" /> There was also a large cohort of independent candidates in the fray.<ref name="apsi" /> All in all, 148 candidates contested the election.<ref name="kgsi" /><ref name="oksi" />

==Result==
{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Party
!colspan=2|Valley
!colspan=2|Hills
!colspan=4|Total
|-
!Candidates
!Seats<br/>won
!Candidates
!Seats<br/>won
!Candidates
!Seats<br/>won
!Votes
!%
|-
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|20
|9
|10
|3
|30
|12
|48,771
|28.01%
|-
|[[Socialist Party of India (1955)|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%
|-
|[[Independent (politician)|Independents]]
|38
|2
|19
|5
|57
|7
|60,834
|34.94%
|}
<ref name=rpsi/><ref name=apsi/><ref name=jrro>Roach, James R. ''[https://doi.org/10.2307/3024537 India's 1957 Elections]''. ''Far Eastern Survey'', vol. 26, no. 5, 1957, pp. 65–78. JSTOR</ref>

There were only 85 invalid votes cast.<ref name=rpsi/> 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%).<ref name=rpsi/><ref name=toi1957/> In parallel to the Territorial Council election, Laisram Achaw Singh also contested the [[Inner Manipur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat]] and was elected to Parliament.<ref name="GE1957Vol1">{{cite web | url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1957/Vol_I_57_LS.pdf | title=Statistical Report on General Election, 1957 : To the Second Lok Sabha Volume-I | work=Election Commission of India| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320181548/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1957/Vol_I_57_LS.pdf | archive-date=2012-03-20 }}</ref> The smallest number of votes of any winning candidate was that of the Congress candidate in the Hiyanglam-Sugnoo constituency (956 votes).<ref name=rpsi/> Among the 148 candidates there was a single woman, CPI candidate T. Sabi Devi in the Wangkhei-Kongba constituency.<ref name="vvra">{{Cite book |last=Rao |first=V. Venkata |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lG1DAAAAYAAJ |title=A Century of Government and Politics in North East India, 1874-1980: Manipur |date=1991 |publisher=S. Chand |language=en}}</ref><ref name="cjth">{{Cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=C. Joshua |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AFxuAAAAMAAJ |title=Constraints in Development of Manipur |last2=Gopalakrishnan |first2=Ramamoorthy |last3=Singh |first3=R. K. Ranjan |date=2001 |publisher=Regency Publications [for Policy Alternatives for the North-East and Conflict Elimination Awareness] |isbn=978-81-87498-30-8 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="kgsi" /><ref name="cjth" /> She was one of five candidates in the fray in the constituency, but lost her deposit having received 482 votes (4.67%).<ref name="kgsi" /><ref name="vvra"/><ref name="oksi" />

==Elected members==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Manipur Territorial Council members elected in 1957<ref name=rpsi/><ref name=toi1957>''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.126085/page/n1011/mode/2up?q=paolen The Times Of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1957–58]''. p. 973</ref><ref name=iara58>''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.100487/page/n507/mode/2up India, a Reference Annual]''. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1958. pp. 491–492</ref><ref name=iara59>''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.113884/page/n471/mode/2up?q=paolen India, a Reference Annual]''. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1959. p. 471</ref><ref name=toi1959>''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.126086/page/n1131/mode/2up?q=paolen The Times Of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959–60]''. p. 1093</ref><ref name=iara60>''[https://books.google.at/books?id=Q8NFAQAAIAAJ India, a Reference Annual]''. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1960. p. 464</ref><ref name=gaz1957>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.125722/page/n293/mode/2up | title=Manipur Gazette | date=11 January 1957 | pages=2–4}}</ref><ref name=gsrao/>
!No.
!Constituency
!Member
!Party{{efn-lg|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.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
!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]]{{efn-lg|Socialist Party leader [[Laisram Achaw Singh]] was also elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] in the 1957 election, representing the [[Inner Manipur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Inner Manipur constituency]]. ''India, a Reference Annual 1959'' lists the Wangkhei-Kongba seat as 'vacant'.<ref name=iara59/> ''The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959–60'' lists the socialist Thokchom Angou Singh as the member from Wangkhei-Kongba.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
|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{{efn-lg|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.<ref name=gaz1957/>}}
|-
|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{{efn-lg|name=CI|Listed as an Independent in ''The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959–60''.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
|Valley
|Circle I (Part I) of Imphal pana of Imphal West tahsil
|-
|9.
|Sagolband
|Nongthombam Ibomcha Singh
|Independent{{efn-lg|name=ICS|Listed as an Indian National Congress member in ''The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959–60''.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
|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{{efn-lg|name=ICS}}
|Valley
|Circles I and VI of Ahalloop pana of Imphal West tahsil
|-
|13.
|Nambol-Keinou
|[[Yumnam Yaima Singh]]
|Congress{{efn-lg|name=CI}}
|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
|[[Mohammed Alimuddin|Muhammad Alimuddin]]
|Congress
|Valley
|Circle I of Laifam pana of Thoubal tahsil
|-
|21.
|Tengnuoupal
|Paokhohang{{efn-lg|name=Paok|Paokhohang also contested the [[Outer Manipur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat]] election, in which he finished in fourth place with 16.66% of the vote.<ref name="GE1957Vol1"/>}}
|Independent{{efn-lg|name=IC}}
|Hills
|Tengnoupal Circle
|-
|22.
|Phaisat
|[[Rishang Keishing]]{{efn-lg|name=Rish|Rishang also contested the [[Outer Manipur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat]] election, in which he finished in third place with 21.30% of the vote.<ref name="GE1957Vol1"/>}}
|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{{efn-lg|name=IC|Listed as an Indian National Congress member in ''The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959-60''.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
|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{{efn-lg|name=Paolen|Paolen reportedly joined the Indian National Congress in 1957.<ref>E-Pao. ''[https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=32..010713.jul13 Ex-MLA Paolen Haokip passes away]''</ref> Listed as an Indian National Congress member in ''The Times of India Directory And Year Book Including Who's Who 1959–60''.<ref name=toi1959/>}}
|Hills
|Churachandpur Subdivision sans the villages from the former Thanlon Circle
|-
|colspan=2|Nominated
|R.K. Muthra Devi
|Congress
|colspan=2|
|-
|colspan=2|Nominated
|Anal Akim
|Congress
|colspan=2|
|}

=== Notes ===
{{notelist-lg}}

==Aftermath==
The Manipur Territorial Council was constituted on 16 August 1957.<ref name=mnla/> On 2 September 1957 the Chief Commissioner P.C. Matthew nominated two women as council members – R.K. Mukhara Devi and Anal Akim.<ref name=oksi>Singh, O. Kulabidhu. ''[http://www.jstor.org/stable/42742770 PARTICIPATION OF MANIPURI WOMEN IN ELECTIONS A Critical Analysis]''. ''The Indian Journal of Political Science'', vol. 70, no. 3, 2009, pp. 897–906. JSTOR</ref><ref name=vvra/><ref name=kgsi>Kh. Gourachandra Singh. ''[http://dipr.mn.gov.in/NewsFiles/CE_07Sep22_1201_Text%208%20by%2011%20May%202022%20single.pdf MANIPURI WOMEN IN ASSEMBlY ELECTIONS]'', in ''Manipur Today'', August 2022</ref><ref name=iara58/> The two nominated female council members would eventually join the Indian National Congress.<ref name=apsi/> On 5 September 1957 the Territorial Council elected its chairman.<ref name=vvra/> The election of chairman was marred by the divisions in the Congress faction in the council.<ref name=vvra/> H. Dwijamani Deva Sharma defeated [[Mairembam Koireng Singh]] in a vote for the post of chairman.<ref name=apsi/><ref name=vvra/> 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.<ref name=apsi/><ref name=vvra/> The tenure of the Territorial Council elected in 1957 remained until the next Territorial Council election in 1962.<ref name=apsi/>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:1957 elections in India]]
[[Category:Elections in Manipur]]

1957 Manipur Territorial Council election - Revision history

GlenDoolittle2 at 20:07, 30 March 2026