Why is Universal Adult Franchise Important

Q. In a democracy why is universal adult franchise important?

Ans:- Franchise is the right of the people to vote and elect their representatives. It is the right given to all adult citizens to vote without discrimination of caste, colour, religion, sex or class. As the basic principle of democracy, it is the right to equality that demands that the right to vote should be given to all. The spirit of democracy can be maintained when the people are given the right to vote without any discrimination. 

The right to vote gives a person self-respect, dignity, a sense of responsibility and political and civil education. Democracy can be described as the mode of appointing, controlling and dismissing governments where people have the right to vote a government into power or vote a government out of power. 

The voting age is different in different countries. In our country, the minimum age for voting is 18 years. In our country, the voter must be a citizen of India, must be 18 years of age, and must not be unsound in mind. The citizens cast their votes at regular intervals to elect their representatives. It grants voting rights to all citizens. Earlier in India, only 13% of Indian citizens had the right to vote. Motilal Nehru was the one to advocate unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women. 

Dr B. R Ambedkar insisted on incorporating a universal adult franchise into the Indian Constitution. In 1947 India embarked on the preparation of the first draft electoral roll on the basis of a universal adult franchise. India adopted universal adult rights when the present constitution was enacted in 1949 and implemented on 26 January 1950.