國民政府接收臺灣時，曾對於原住民治理舉行多次的討論以及考察。最後，官方決定採取「平等」原則，並且將選舉制度引入山地鄉的政治社會當中（以下簡稱山地選制) 。而在一連串的前置作業後，山地鄉在1946年起開始進行地方選舉，並由民選的鄉、村長將舊有的領導階級取而代之，且增設民意代表來為地方發聲。但是山地鄉環境特殊，族群生態複雜，讓官方在推動山地選制過程中面臨嚴峻的挑戰。本文針對山地鄉基層民意代表（鄉民代表、縣參議員) 做為討論中心，由於鄉民代表具有選舉縣參議員的權力，因此兩者關係可以說是十分緊密。山地選制相當受到原住民的歡迎，平均投票率在八成以上。不過，由於當時山地選制與現實情況常有扞格現象，在制度本身不甚完整的情況下，導致經過多次修正及重擬。待到1951年，山地鄉縣議員開放直接選舉後，山地鄉基層民意代表的選舉制度才開始逐漸穩定。

When the kuomintang government take over Taiwan, it pay attention to aboriginal issues very seriously. After going through several meetings and study, the government decided to set up the electoral system of aboriginal with 'equal' principlent. After a series of administrative work. In 1946, aboriginal people began an election as local elections. The modern town mayor to replace the traditional class leader, and a privately owned enterprise help people to do something. But aboriginal area is special and ethnic ecological is also complexity, the government is facing serious challenges in the process of promoting the aboriginal electoral system. This article discusses the electoral system of aboriginal representatives .The electoral system of aboriginal welcomed by aboriginal people. In this time, Aboriginal area's turnout can be over 80%.But the electoral system of aboriginal conflicts between reality, after repeatedly amended and redrafted, the aboriginal electoral system is gradually stabilized in 1951.