The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Law and Justice / Legislative Department
Act details
| Short title | The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for direct election in certain Union territories for filling the seats allotted to them in the House of the People and for matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 49 of 1965 |
| Act year | 1965 |
| Enactment date | 22 Dec 1965 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Law and Justice / Legislative Department |
| Department | Legislative Department |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 6 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965
1. Primary Objective: - To facilitate direct elections for filling seats allocated to specified Union Territories in the House of the People (Lok Sabha), governed by rules that ensure representation in accordance with the Constitution and other relevant laws.
2. Key Provisions: - Direct Election Mechanism: Mandates direct elections for parliamentary seats from Union Territories, adhering to electoral rules.
• Constituency Formation: Each specified Union Territory constitutes a single parliamentary constituency, as per the rules of delimitation and representation.
• Treatment of Sitting Members & Vacancies: Ensures continuity for sitting members until the dissolution of the House and provides for filling vacancies, all within the framework of established rules.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965
● Act Title - The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965
● Act Number / Year - 49 of 1965
● Act ID (India Code) - 196549
● Presidential Assent Date - December 22, 1965
● Enforcement Date - December 22, 1965
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Law and Justice
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Democratic Franchise Extension to Union Territories - Enacted to transition from presidential nomination to direct adult suffrage for filling Lok Sabha (House of the People) seats allotted to specific Union Territories—namely, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands (later Lakshadweep), and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
● Constitutional Integration & Electoral Uniformity - Formulated to ensure parliamentary representation for residents of specified Union Territories aligned with the broader direct democratic electoral framework established for Indian states under the Representation of the People Acts.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Law and Justice (published in the Gazette of India on March 31, 1965) to amend existing parliamentary selection procedures and form single territorial constituencies for direct election in the specified Union Territories.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during 1965.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on December 22, 1965.
● Enforcement - Enforced on December 22, 1965.
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Law and Justice.