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 Whilst the rest of the India saw democracy in action with the dawn of Independence on 15 August 1947 and its consolidation with the proclamation of the sovereign and democratic Republic of India on 26 January, 1950, the people of Goa were still groaning under Portuguese Rule. The prolonged Goan freedom struggle which culminated in the liberation of Goa on 19 December 1961, saw the end of the colonial domination and its replacement by a democratic set-up as an integral part of India. It marked a watershed in the sociopolitical history of Goa. In the wake of liberation democratic institution were set up in the territory in the place of foreign dictatorial norms and rules. People were for the first time in their long and chequered history provided an opportunity for direct participation in Government in which they have a vital stake and making them sasters of their destiny. Initially the liberated territory was under the army administration of Lt. Gen. Candeth, the Military Governor who was assisted by the Chief Civil Administrator. On 8 June 1962 , the Military Government gave place to civil rule. The Lt. Governor formed an informal Consultative Council consisting of 29 nominated Members to assist him in the administration of the territory. This Council was inaugurated on 24 September 1962. The metting of the Council was open to public. On passing of the Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act. 1962 by the Union Parliament on 20 June 1962, the territory of Goa, Daman and Diu was conferred the status of a Union Territory with retrospective effect from 20 December, 1961. The Government of Union Territory Act, 1963 came into force on 13 May 1963. This Act was amended in 1971 which gave additional powers to the Administrator to assent to Bills, issue ordinances etc., in certain cases. The districtt of Goa of the existing Union Territory was formed into a new State known as the State of Goa in 1987.
The Legislature of Goa is unicameral. As per Section 3(2) of the Government of Union Territory Act, 1963 (Act 20 of 1963), the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Goa, Daman and Diu was 30 and as per sub-section (3), the Union Govt. could nominate 3 persons in the Assembly. However, only during the term 1967-1972 (Second Assembly), two Members (One from Scheduled Caste and one from Scheduled Tribe) were nominated by the Central Government and thereafter, in the year 1985 (Sixth Assembly), three lady Members were nominated to make the total strength of 33. Consequent on granting the Statehood to Goa, territories Daman and Diu were delinked and the strength of Goa assembly was reduced to 31 because and Members from Daman and Diu ceased to be the Members of Goa Assembly. As per Section-12 of the Goa, Daman and Diu reorganisation Act, 1987, the total number of seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly is 40.
The normal tenure of the House is five years. Details of the tenure of the Legislative Assembly are given in the Table
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