The Government of India Act, 1919 based on the Montagu-Chelmsford
Report, sought to make it abundantly clear that the British were
prepared to concede only "only gradual development of self-government
institutions, with a view to progressive realisation of responsible
government". The time , manner and pace of each advance of
constitutional progress was to be determined only by the British
Parliament and not based on any self-determination by the people of
India.
As supplemented by the rules made under it, the 1919 Act introduced
many important changes in the Indian constitutional system as it was
established under the Act of 1909. In the case of the legislature at
the Centre, the erstwhile Indian Legislative Council was replaced by a
bicameral legislature consisting of a Council of State (Upper House)
and a Legislative Assembly (Lower House). Even though some power of
nominating members was retained, each House was to have an elected
majority.
Members were to be elected directly by constituencies delimited by the
Rules framed under the Act. The franchise was considerably enlarged.
The electoral qualifications prescribed varied widely and were based
on communal affiliation and residence and property credentials.
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