Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
On election day in India, a billionaire and a daily-wage labourer walk into the same polling booth, and each casts exactly one vote that counts the same. That simple, powerful idea, that every adult is politically equal, is the subject of this chapter. We begin with universal adult franchise, the right of every citizen aged 18 and above to vote, and why it was such a bold choice for a newly independent India. We then see how voting actually works, from the secret ballot to the Electronic Voting Machine; the different types of elections (direct and indirect, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha); the role of the Election Commission that runs the world’s largest elections fairly; and the challenges that Indian democracy still faces. By the end, you will understand why your future vote is one of the most important powers you will ever hold.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- explain universal adult franchise and why it is the foundation of Indian democracy (Article 326);
- describe how voting works, including the secret ballot and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs);
- distinguish direct from indirect elections, and the Lok Sabha from the Rajya Sabha;
- explain the role of the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct;
- identify the main challenges to democracy and what active citizens can do about them.