Volksraad (Dutch East Indies)

Volksraad
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Founded	18 May 1918 (1918-05-18)
Disbanded	1942
Succeeded by	Central Advisory Council
Seats	38 (1917) 48 (1924) 60 (1939)
Meeting place
Volksraadgebouw (1918)

The Volksraad (People's Council) was an advisory, and later semi-legislative institution for the Dutch East Indies, provided for by law in 1916 but only established with the actual installation of the Council in 1918. It was a hesitant and slow attempt at democratisation of the Dutch East Indies as part of the "ethical policy" adopted by the Dutch government. The power of the Volksraad was limited as it only had advisory powers. Although part of the council was elected, only a small proportion of the population had voting rights. ^[1]

Initially, the Volksraad had 39 members, eventually rising to 60. It was reconstituted every four years. The members were partly elected, and partly appointed by the colonial administration.^[1]