Universal Adult Franchise
Indian Polity › Salient Features of the Constitution · Topic 3.11
Universal adult franchise gives every citizen aged 18 or more the right to vote without discrimination, under Article 326 for Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment in 1988.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Polity · Salient Features
At a Glance
- What it is Every citizen who is not less than 18 years of age has a right to vote, without discrimination of caste, race, religion, sex, literacy, wealth and so on
- Applies to Elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies (Article 326)
- Voting age Reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988; in force from 28 March 1989
- Article 325 No person is ineligible for inclusion in the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex
- Described as A bold experiment by the Constitution-makers
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Salient Features
Where Does It Fit?
The salient features so far described the structure of the State and the rights and duties of citizens. Universal adult franchise is the basis of the democratic system, since it decides who elects the representatives. The details of elections and the Election Commission are taken up in later categories.
What Is Universal Adult Franchise?
The Indian Constitution adopts universal adult franchise as the basis of elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. Every citizen who is not less than 18 years of age has a right to vote, without any discrimination of caste, race, religion, sex, literacy, wealth and so on. The voting age was reduced to 18 years from 21 years in 1989 by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988.
Two Articles in Part XV of the Constitution secure political equality in this respect.
- Article 325: No person is to be declared ineligible for inclusion in the electoral roll, or to claim to be included in a special electoral roll, on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
- Article 326: Elections to the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies of the states are to be on the basis of adult suffrage.
The right to vote is not one of the Fundamental Rights in Part III. Article 326 is among the constitutional rights outside Part III. An aggrieved person cannot move the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 for its violation, but can move the high court by an ordinary suit or under Article 226.
Why Was It a Bold Experiment?
The introduction of universal adult franchise by the Constitution-makers was a bold experiment and highly remarkable in view of the vast size of the country, its huge population, high poverty, social inequality and overwhelming illiteracy.
Even in the Western countries the right to vote was extended only gradually. For women, the USA gave the franchise in 1920, Britain in 1928, the USSR (now Russia) in 1936, France in 1945, Italy in 1948 and Switzerland in 1971.
| Country | Franchise for women |
|---|---|
| USA | 1920 |
| Britain | 1928 |
| USSR (now Russia) | 1936 |
| France | 1945 |
| Italy | 1948 |
| Switzerland | 1971 |
What Does It Do for Democracy?
Universal adult franchise makes democracy broad-based, enhances the self-respect and prestige of the common people, upholds the principle of equality, enables minorities to protect their interests and opens up new hopes and vistas for the weaker sections.
Why Was the Voting Age Lowered?
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha as well as the assembly elections. This was done to provide the unrepresented youth of the country an opportunity to express their feelings and become a part of the political process. It came into force on 28 March 1989.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Direct Prelims material: The voting age, the amendment and the Articles can be asked directly.
- A democratic base: It links the Preamble’s democracy with the conduct of elections.
What Came Next?
The next topic takes up single citizenship, another feature that applies to every Indian, regardless of the state.
Key People and Terms
- Universal adult franchise The right of every adult citizen to vote without discrimination
- Article 326 Adult suffrage for the Lok Sabha and the assemblies
- Article 325 No exclusion from the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex
- 61st Amendment Act, 1988 Reduced the voting age from 21 to 18
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Voting age: 18 since the 61st Amendment (1988), in force from 28 March 1989; earlier 21.
- Article 326: adult suffrage. Article 325: no one ineligible for the roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
- Both are in Part XV, not in Part III on Fundamental Rights.
- Violation is taken to the high court, not directly to the Supreme Court under Article 32.
Do Not Confuse With
- Article 325 and Article 326: The first is on the electoral roll and non-discrimination; the second is on adult suffrage.
- Constitutional right and Fundamental Right: The right to vote is a constitutional right outside Part III.
- Voting age before and after 1989: The voting age was 21 earlier and is 18 since the 61st Amendment came into force.
Memory Hook
One adult, one vote: Article 326, age 18 from 1989, in Part XV.
Mains Angle
Questions on this feature usually ask for its significance. Use these points to add depth.
- Bold at the time: India gave the vote to all adults despite poverty, inequality and illiteracy, while Western countries extended the vote gradually.
- Broad-based democracy: It enhances the self-respect of the common people and enables minorities and weaker sections to protect their interests.
- Youth: The 61st Amendment brought the youth into the political process.
- Without discrimination: Caste, race, religion, sex, literacy and wealth cannot bar a citizen from voting.
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Universal adult franchise was a bold experiment in India.” Explain its significance.
How to Answer
- Introduction: Define universal adult franchise and cite Article 326.
- The setting: vast size, poverty, social inequality, illiteracy; contrast with the gradual extension in Western countries.
- Benefits: broad-based democracy, equality, minority protection, hopes for weaker sections.
- Conclusion: The 61st Amendment widened participation to 18-year-olds.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is universal adult franchise?
Universal adult franchise means that every citizen who is not less than 18 years of age has a right to vote, without any discrimination of caste, race, religion, sex, literacy, wealth and so on. The Constitution adopts it as the basis of elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Which Article provides for adult suffrage?
Article 326, in Part XV of the Constitution, provides that elections to the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies of the states shall be on the basis of adult suffrage. Article 325 adds that no person can be ineligible for the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
What is the voting age in India?
The voting age in India is 18 years. The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced it from 21 years to 18 years for Lok Sabha and assembly elections, and it came into force on 28 March 1989, giving the unrepresented youth a chance to join the political process.
Is the right to vote a Fundamental Right?
No. The right to vote under Article 326 is a constitutional right outside Part III. If it is violated, the aggrieved person cannot move the Supreme Court directly under Article 32, but can approach the high court by an ordinary suit or under Article 226.
Why was universal adult franchise called a bold experiment?
It was a bold experiment and highly remarkable in view of the vast size of the country, its huge population, high poverty, social inequality and overwhelming illiteracy. Even in Western countries the right to vote was extended only gradually, and for women only from the twentieth century.
What are the benefits of universal adult franchise?
It makes democracy broad-based, enhances the self-respect and prestige of the common people, upholds the principle of equality, enables minorities to protect their interests, and opens up new hopes and vistas for the weaker sections of society.
When did women get the vote in Western countries?
The USA gave women the franchise in 1920, Britain in 1928, the USSR (now Russia) in 1936, France in 1945, Italy in 1948 and Switzerland in 1971. This shows that the vote was extended only gradually in the Western countries.
Why was the voting age lowered to 18?
The voting age was lowered by the 61st Amendment Act of 1988 to give the unrepresented youth of the country an opportunity to express their feelings and become part of the political process. The change applies to both Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
It came into force on 28 March 1989.
2 Article 326 provides for adult suffrage in elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.
It is in Part XV of the Constitution.
3 The right to vote is a Fundamental Right in Part III of the Constitution.
It is a constitutional right under Article 326 in Part XV. A violation cannot be taken directly to the Supreme Court under Article 32.
4 Article 325 allows a special electoral roll on the basis of religion.
Article 325 says no person is to be ineligible for inclusion in the electoral roll, or to claim inclusion in a special roll, on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
5 Women got the right to vote in Britain before they did in the USA.
The USA gave the franchise to women in 1920 and Britain in 1928.
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