Introduction
As a result of vast political transformations in the last century, suffrage has undergone a massive expansion nearly all over the world. No longer does gender, education, social standing, or class disqualify people from political rights and the opportunity to have a say in parliamentary elections. This has led many observers to the conclusion that the suffrage in democratic nations is as inclusive as it could possibly be. An indication to this effect is the fact that measurements of democracy, where the extension of the vote is estimated, bring forth conclusions that ‘nearly all countries have adopted the rule of universal suffrage’ or, in other cases, that at least 85 per cent of all countries in the world ‘provided for universal suffrage’.
India has a democratic country with all citizens having equal rights. This could have been farther from truth if the universal adult suffrageconcept was not adopted.India managed to do away with the restrictions on the exercise of the vote for adultsas a promoter of political equality. However, it can be understood that the journey wasn’t easy.The right of the people to elect and vote their representatives is called franchise. Now, Adult franchise means that the right to vote should be given to all adult citizens without the discrimination of caste, class, colour, religion or sex. Right to vote should be equally available among all is their demand. And denying any class of persons from exercising this right is to violate their right to equality. The system of adult franchise is said to be the bedrock of a democratic system. People are called as political sovereign because they possess the right to vote a government into power, or to vote a government out of power. Universal adult franchise enables all the citizens to be involved in the governance of their state. And they do so by electing their representatives who govern to serve and protect the interests of the people.
Article 326 of the Constitution of India
Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage.— The elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage; that is to say, every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election.
Evolution
Paradoxically, The Constitution of India which provides for Universal adult suffrage was drafted by the Constituent Assembly that consisted of members elected by the restricted franchise. The committee headed by Motilal Nehru in 1928 did advocate for an unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women. The resolution of Karachi Session 1931 of the Indian National Congress adopted a resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy which encapsulated the notion of universal adult franchise. India adopted the principle of the universal adult franchise in the year 1949 & the Constitution was implemented on January 26, 1950.
Developments leading to adoption of Universal Adult Suffrage
During the pre-independence era, Indian citizens in about only 13 per cent used to enjoy the right to vote. Few decades before the independence the demand for universal adult suffrage had been gaining momentum. The first proponent of “unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women” included the Motilal Nehru report.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar appeared before the Simon Commission and insisted on incorporating universal adult franchise in the Constitution of India in the year 1928. According to him, elections were “a weapon in the hands of the most oppressed sections of society” and voting rights will give them the politico-legal equality. Ambedkar found a like-minded colleague in Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, who also subscribed to his liberal views. Later,at the 1931 Karachi session the Indian National Congress called for political equality. The party argued that it would be one of the crucial strides towards making the electoral process more participatory and inclusive. There were doubts in the minds of our makers of Constitution and the issue of adult franchise was debated in the Constituent Assembly by many senior leaders before it abolished all the previous restrictions and provided for universal adult suffrage.
Context
- The western countries, which are usually known for their long experience of some sort of representative system of governance, introduced adult franchise only in the wake of the First World War (1914 – 18), a war which was proclaimed to be fought by the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France and United States and the allies) to make the ‘world safe for democracy’.
- The ‘defeated’ Germany incorporated the principle of universal adult franchise in 1919, it took nine more years for Great Britain to Democracy at Work extend franchise to women in 1928. In 1918, Britain had granted franchise to limited number of women. It was decided that while all adult men, 21 years of age and above would have the right to vote, women only above the age of 30 years could possess the right to vote. This discrimination was removed only in 1928.
- France, the land that gave the popular slogans of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, could introduce the right of universal adult franchise to its people only after the end of the Second World War i.e. 1945.
- Switzerland, the home of direct democracy denied the right to vote to women till 1973.
- India adopted the principle of universal adult franchise when the present Constitution was enacted in 1949 which as you know was implemented on January 26, 1950.
Age of voting across the World
- The voting age varies from country to country.
- In Denmark and Japan, a person, man or woman, is entitled to vote after attaining the age of 25 years.
- In Norway, the age limit is 23, in Great Britain, the United States, Russia and Turkey it is 18.
- In Switzerland, it is 20 years.
- In our country, now the minimum age for exercising franchise is 18 years. The 61st Amendment Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years.
Importance of Universal Adult Suffrage
The introduction of universal adult suffrage is considered one of the most important decisions that has changed India for the better. Granting voting rights to all is no mean achievement for the founding fathers of Indian Constitution, especially Dr B.R. Ambedkar. It has provided the government with “unchallengeable legitimacy against any military intervention” or secessionist movements. Besides achieving gender equality by giving women the right to vote, it has also eliminated untouchability and ensured equal opportunities for backward class people as well.
The concept of universal adult suffrage is looked upon as the “guarantors of minority rights”along with free and fair voting. It also had a trickle-down impact on poverty alleviation. By allowing voting rights to all citizens, the poor found an opportunity to choose the political administrators and also increase the scope of governance at a local level. The direct outcome of this is prosperity at grassroots level and development of infrastructure. Another significant transformation that has become evident over the years is the representation of backward sections in Parliament. The composition of the members of Parliament has changed to include individuals from those communities, who become the voice of the oppressed.
Conclusion
In the process of making the universal franchise, people of modest means were a driving force in institutionalising democratic citizenship as they have struggled for their voting rights and debated it with bureaucrats at various levels. I think that in India the institutionalisation of electoral democracy preceded in significant ways the constitutional deliberative process, and that ordinary people had a significant role in establishing democracy in India at its inception. By the time the constitution which came into force in January 1950, the abstract notion of the universal franchise and the principles and practices of electoral democracy were already grounded.The preparation of a joint electoral roll on the basis of universal franchise in anticipation of the constitution has played a key role in making the Indian union. It contributed to forging a sense of national unity and national feeling, turned the notion of people’s belonging to something which is tangible. They became the focus of the new state’s leap of faith, in which they now had a stake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What do you mean by Adult Suffrage?
According to Article 326 adult means every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election.
- State on of the developments which lead to adoption of Universal Adult Suffrage?
During the pre-independence era,Indian citizens in about only 13 per cent used to enjoy the right to vote. Few decades prior to the independence the demand for universal adult suffrage had been gaining momentum. The first proponent of “unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women” included the Motilal Nehru report.
- When was adult franchise introduced in western countries?
The western countries, which are usually known for their long experience of some sort of representative system of governance, introduced adult franchise only in the wake of the First World War (1914 – 18), a war which was proclaimed to be fought by the Allied Powers (Great Britain, France and United States and the allies) to make the ‘world safe for democracy’
- What is the voting age in different countries?
The voting age varies from country to country.In Denmark and Japan, a person, man or woman, is entitled to vote after attaining the age of 25 years.In Norway, the age limit is 23, in Great Britain, the United States, Russia and Turkey it is 18.In Switzerland, it is 20 years.In our country, now the minimum age for exercising franchise is 18 years. The 61st Amendment Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years.
- How has the concept of Universal Adult Suffrage helped the minority section of society?
The concept of universal adult suffrage is looked upon as the “guarantors of minority rights”along with free and fair voting. It also had a trickle-down impact on poverty alleviation. By allowing voting rights to all citizens, the poor found an opportunity to choose the political administrators and also increase the scope of governance at a local level. The direct outcome of this is prosperity at grassroots level and development of infrastructure.
