• UGI USER
  • Apr 20, 2024
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ONE CITIZEN ONE VOTE

SYLLABUS:

  • GS 2: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  • Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Focus:

  • India’s general elections commenced this week.
Source: Qura

Universal Adult Franchise refers to the right of every citizen of a country to cast a vote in elections irrespective of his/her caste, class, creed, religion, sex, etc. Article 326 of the Indian Constitution describes Universal Adult Suffrage as the basis for elections to all levels of an elected government.

Background

  • Pre-independence: Only 13% of Indian citizens had voting rights.
  • Demand for universal adult suffrage grew before independence.
  • Motilal Nehru report advocated for “unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women.”
  • B.R. Ambedkar pushed for universal adult franchise during the Simon Commission in 1928.
  • Indian National Congress called for political equality at the Karachi session in 1931.
  • Preparation for the first draft electoral roll began in November 1947.
  • India adopted universal adult suffrage in its constitution enacted in 1949, effective from 26 January 1950.

Introduction to Universal Franchise in India

  • Context of 2024 Elections: India’s general elections began this week, continuing from April 19 to June 1, with the results being declared on June 4. A massive number of approximately 970 million Indians are eligible to vote in what is considered the largest electoral project in the world’s largest constitutional democracy.
  • Concept of Elections: The term “elections” originates from the Latin word “eligere,” meaning “to pick out.” This term frames the current national elections in India, highlighting the modern principle of “one citizen, one vote.”
  • Historical Comparison: Unlike countries such as the United States, where voting rights were initially restricted and gradually extended through amendments and civil rights movements, India established universal adult franchise from the outset.
Constitutional Provisions

  • The voting age varies from one country to the other. The minimum age for exercising franchises in our country is now 18 years.
  • The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years old by the 61st Amendment Act of 1989.

In India, there are certain requirements for becoming a voter. A registered voter:

  • must be a citizen of India;
  • must have attained 18 years of age;
  • must not be of unsound mind;
  • must not have been declared bankrupt by a competent court.

Evolution of Voting Rights in Other Democracies

  • Initial Restrictions: In the United States, following the adoption of the Constitution in 1787, voting rights were initially granted only to white, property-owning men, excluding women, African Americans, Native Americans, and others from the franchise.
  • Progressive Amendments: Over time, various amendments to the U.S. Constitution extended voting rights—African American men gained the right through the 15th Amendment, women through the 19th Amendment in 1920, and the voting age was lowered to 18 years in the 26th Amendment of 1971.

India’s Unbroken Path to Universal Adult Franchise

  • No Discrimination in Voting Rights: From its inception, independent India did not discriminate among its citizens regarding voting rights, contrasting with many other democracies that did.
  • Constituent Assembly Debates: During the drafting of the Constitution from 1946 to 1950, debates ensued about the challenges of universal franchise, particularly concerning literacy and property ownership. However, key figures like Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar advocated for broad-based democracy without such restrictions, emphasizing inclusion of the laboring classes and women.
  • First General Elections: India’s commitment to universal adult franchise culminated in its first general elections between October 25, 1951, and February 21, 1952, marking the largest election at the time with 173 million voters.

Role of the Election Commission in India

  • Constitutional Mandate: The Indian Constitution mandates the Election Commission to supervise, direct, and control all electoral processes, ensuring the integrity and fairness of elections.
  • Importance of Neutrality: A neutral, impartial, and alert Election Commission is crucial for maintaining the democratic framework of India, ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and without bias.

Global Electoral Context in 2024

  • Worldwide Elections: The year 2024 is significant not only for India but also for numerous other countries. Over half the world’s population, including nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are holding or have held elections throughout the year.
  • Economic Implications: According to a report by the Institute of International Finance, the global elections of 2024 could significantly impact the world economy, potentially exacerbating the global debt crisis.

Significance

  • Converting all adult Indians into voters before the inception of the constitution required immense imagination and determination.
  • India’s adoption of universal adult suffrage marked a bold act of decolonization, distinguishing it from colonial legacies.
  • By late 1949, India established itself as the world’s largest democracy, pushing the boundaries of democratic imagination.
  • Implementation of universal franchise brought electoral democracy to life in India.
  • Adoption of universal adult suffrage during constitutional debates in April 1947 departed significantly from colonial practices, providing the government with indisputable legitimacy against military intervention or secessionist movements.
  • Granting women the right to vote, abolishing untouchability, and ensuring equal opportunities for lower socioeconomic classes were integral outcomes of universal adult suffrage.
  • Universal suffrage and free, fair voting became guarantors of minority rights in India.
  • Granting voting rights to all citizens empowered the poor to choose political leaders and enhance governance at the local level, leading to increased prosperity and infrastructure development.
  • Over time, Parliament’s composition has diversified to include representatives from backward sections, giving voice to the oppressed.
About Election Commission of India (ECI)

  • In India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional body tasked with running the Union and State electoral systems and it was founded on January 25, 1950;
  • The organization conducts elections for the nation’s president and vice president, as well as for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and other offices;

The Commission’s organizational structure:

  • The Election Commissioner Amendment Act of 1989 allowed the commission to expand from having just one election commissioner to a multi-member body;
  • Two Election Commissioners (ECs) and a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) currently make up the commission;
  • The commission’s secretariat is situated in New Delhi.

Source:Indian Express

Mains Practice Question:

Examine the evolution of the electoral system in India with a focus on the principle of universal adult franchise. Compare India’s approach to establishing voting rights for all citizens from the outset with that of other democracies that adopted a more incremental approach. Discuss the role of the Election Commission in upholding the democratic process.

Associated Articles:

https://universalinstitutions.com/national-voters-day/