Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.132

c9.s4.132

All the meetings were probably called by the sounding of a drum.² "When the assembly drum was heard," says Malalasekera, following Buddhaghosa, "all left other duties and assembled immediately in the *Santhāgārasālā*." ³ The Licchavis might have had what is called in the Buddhist text a regulator of seats (*āsana-paññāpaka*)⁴ whose duty was to make seating arrangements for the members of the Assembly. Probably he was elected by the Assembly of 7,707 either by drawing lots or by casting votes. The text also speaks of the *salākās*,⁵ chips or fragments of wood rather corresponding to the modern voting paper. The technical term for the vote was *chaṇḍa*, which meant free choice.⁶ There was also a collector of these chips, the *salākā-gāhāpaka*,⁷ who was elected to this post because of his recognized honesty and proven impartiality. The five qualifications prescribed for this office—"one who does not walk in partiality, . . . in malice, . . . in folly, . . . in fear and one who knows what votes have been taken and what have not been taken",⁸—indicate that he was an important officer. His consent was sought as to whether or not he would be willing to accept the post. Then his proposer sought the approval of the *saṅgha*. Those who were in favour kept silent, while those against spoke and probably put forward another candidate.⁹ A quorum was required and a sort of officer, called the *gaṇa-pūraka*,¹⁰ helped to complete the quorum and was responsible for ensuring its presence. The context suggests that this was not a permanent office, but merely a name given to a member of the Assembly who volunteered his services or was appointed by the Council to inform members of the Assembly that some business was to be transacted in the Assembly hall. It may be that at trials a certain quorum was also required before the case could be heard and punishment inflicted by the jury.¹ The *Mahāvagga* further informs us that absentees could also vote.² All the issues and differences of opinion were settled by the vote of a majority, *yebhuyyasikā*.³