Universal Adult Franchise

Introduction

Franchise refers to the right of the people to vote and choose their representatives. The term “franchise” comes from the French word “franc,” which signifies “freedom.” It entails exercising one’s right to select one’s representatives freely. According to Universal Adult Franchise or Universal Suffrage, the right to vote should be provided to all adult citizens regardless of caste, class, colour, religion, or gender.

What is the Universal Adult Franchise? 

Franchise refers to the right of the people to vote and choose their representatives. Universal Adult franchise means that all adult citizens, irrespective of caste, class, colour, religion, or gender, should have the right to vote. It requires that the right to vote be granted to all citizens equitably. Denying any group of people the freedom to exercise this right violates their equality. The adult franchise system is the foundation of a democratic system. People are referred to as political sovereigns because they can vote a government into or out of power. 

At specified periods, citizens vote to elect their members to the Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and other institutions. They are elected as fundamental instruments of political power in a democracy, as provided for in the land’s Constitution. Hence, these institutions are referred to as representative institutions, since they represent the democratic will of the people.  

Why is Universal Adult Franchise Important in a Democracy? 

• The Universal Adult Franchise emphasises impartiality and unity, a fundamental foundation of democracy. It mandates that the right to vote be given to all citizens equitably. 
• Restricting citizens’ freedom to exercise the right to vote violates their equality. To summarise, democracy’s ethos can sustain if everyone has equal access to voting.
• Furthermore, using one’s right to vote boosts one’s conscience, integrity, feeling of duty, and political and civic education. As a result, the adult franchise system is the bedrock of a democratic society.
• Citizens are known as political sovereigns as they possess the power to elect a government in and out of authority. As a result, democracy is defined as choosing, ruling, and eliminating a government by votes. 

Evolution of Universal Adult Franchise in India

The adult franchise has always been a slow process to become a worldwide law. In reality, recognition of the idea of a universal adult franchise as the basis for discovering people’s preferences has been one of the critical demands in the world’s long-drawn battle for democracy. Not many countries practised universal adult franchise until the second half of the twentieth century. Many democratic regimes had previously limited male franchise to property, education, and other criteria.

• In an ironic twist, our Constitution, which allows the universal adult franchise, was adopted by Constituent Assembly members elected by a restricted franchise.
• In 1928, the Motilal Nehru report presented the universal adult franchise and equal rights for women.
• The Indian National Congress approved a resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy in Karachi in 1931, which contained the concept of universal adult franchise.
• India approved the universal adult franchise when the present Constitution went into effect on January 26, 1950.

Article 326

Elections to the House of the People and the Legislative Assembly of each State shall be held based on adult suffrage. Thus, every citizen who is 18 years of age or above, can vote; except for people disqualified by the constitution or by any other law made by the Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsound mind, criminal record, corrupt or illegal practice. These grounds are not exclusive.

Therefore, every citizen of India can vote. Exceptions include an individual less than eighteen years of age and someone not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature.  

Age of Voting

The essential requirements for suffrage are the same worldwide, with minor differences from country to country. Only adult citizens of a nation are usually entitled to vote, with the minimum voting age ranging from 18 to 25 years.

• In Switzerland, the voting age is 20 
• In Scotland, the voting age is 16 
• In Denmark and Japan, a person has the right to vote at the age of 25
• The legal voting age in Norway is 23
• The voting age is 18 in the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, and Turkey

The minimum age for exercising franchises in India is now 18 years. The 61st Amendment Act of 1989 decreased the voting age from 21 to 18. In India, there are several requirements for becoming a voter. As previously stated, a voter must: 

• be an Indian citizen
• be at least 18 years old
• not be of unsound mind
• not be declared bankrupt by a competent court 

Conclusion 

Representational democracy and Universal Adult Franchise go hand-in-hand. It implies that once a man or woman reaches a certain age (in India, 18 years old), they can vote in elections without regard to caste, creed, religion, language, or sex. Citizens exercise their right to vote in elections to select their representatives. In the real sense, elections are the foundation of democracy, expressing the people’s sovereign will by casting their free and equal vote. Universal Adult Franchise works to eliminate discrimination and promote equality.