Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Indian National Congress easily won a second term in power, taking 371 of the 494 seats.

In addition, 19% of the vote and 42 seats went to independent candidates, the highest of any Indian general election.

Historian Ramachandra Guha wrote "this general election cost the exchequer Rs45 million less than the previous one.

"[3] Based on the published data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) website.

[4] The first instance of booth capturing in India was recorded in 1957 in the General Elections of that year in Rachiyahi, in Begusarai's Matihani assembly seat.