India did something 'crazy' in 1952.

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For the first time, a newly independent country decided to give voting rights to all the adult citizens i.e. Universal adult suffrage. At the time, the usual practice in the democracies of west was to first reserve the right to men of property - excluding working class and women.

India gave the right to vote to all, irrespective of property, gender and literacy.

Many termed it as the "Democracy's biggest gamble', other commented '“a future and more enlightened age will view with astonishment the absurd farce of recording the votes of millions of illiterate people” [India After Gandhi by Ramchandra Guha]

If you think current election is complex, imagine the situation in 1952

[1] Around 20 crore voters, with 85% of them illiterate. Largest ever election in history of mankind.

[2] Each of these voters were to be identified, named and registered. Yes, named. Many women from North India refused to gave their own name and inisisted on being named as X's wife or Y's mother. It was Sukumar Sen ICS (Chief election Commissioner) who directed officials to not accept this. Despite that, around 3 crores women's name had to be stuck off the list.

[3] No existing legislation to define powers and duties of the officials. RPA 1951 and 1952 had to be passed before the elections.

[4] Problem of 'colossal proportions' - 4500 seats (Loksabha + Assembly], 2.2 lakhs Polling booths, 56k presiding officers, 2.8 Lakhs helpers and 2.2 lakhs policemen!

[5] Inability of voters to read the name. To solve the problem, most easily recognizable symbols from daily life were used - Bullocks, elephant, etc

[6] A single ballet box might have caused confusion for illiterate Indians, hene separate ballet box were used so that voters could simply cast their vote in the party box.

What seems obvious today, was the most difficult test of democracy then.

And India not only passed but emerged as the largest and successful democracy after 75 years!