Correct Option
The correct option is By proportional representation with single transferable vote.
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly of India was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mi. The Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis of adult franchise, but was an indirectly elected body.
Detailed Analysis
- Electoral College: The members of the Constituent Assembly were elected by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
- Method of Election: The representatives of each community were elected by members of that specific community in the provincial legislative assembly. The voting was conducted by the method of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).
- Seat Allocation: Seats were allotted to every province and princely state in proportion to their respective populations (roughly one seat for every million people).
- Community Representation: In the British Provinces, seats were divided among the three principal communities-Muslims, Sikhs, and General (all except Muslims and Sikhs)-in proportion to their population.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Direct Universal Adult Suffrage: This was rejected due to the immense time and resources required to prepare electoral rolls and conduct elections across India during the volatile period of 1946.
- Nomination by Governor: The members from British Provinces were elected, not nominated. Only the representatives of Princely States were nominated by the heads of those states.
- Simple Majority Vote: The system used was Proportional Representation, not the First-Past-The-Post (simple majority) system, to ensure adequate representation of minorities.
Key Takeaway: The Constituent Assembly was an indirectly elected body where representatives from British Provinces were elected by Provincial Legislative Assemblies using Proportional Representation with the Single Transferable Vote.