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What is Universal Adult Franchise?

Universal Adult Franchise means that every adult citizen of a country has the right to vote in elections, regardless of their gender, caste, religion, education level, or economic status.

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What is universal adult franchise?

Answer

Universal Adult Franchise is the right given to every adult citizen to vote in elections, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, education, or wealth.

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Key Facts

Definition: Right to vote for ALL adults without discrimination.

India's Voting Age: 18 years (lowered from 21 in 1989 by the 61st Amendment).

Principle: One Person, One Vote, One Value.

India Special: Adopted UAF from Day 1 of independence โ€” very progressive.

Breaking Down the Term

  • Universal: For ALL adult citizens, without discrimination.
  • Adult: Those who have reached the legal voting age (18 years in India).
  • Franchise: The legal right to vote.

So 'Universal Adult Franchise' = The right to vote given universally to all adults.

Why is it Important for Democracy?

Before UAF was established:

  • In Britain, only wealthy property-owners could vote.
  • In the USA, women couldn't vote until 1920.
  • In South Africa under Apartheid, Black citizens couldn't vote.

Universal Adult Franchise ensures one person, one vote, one value โ€” making every citizen politically equal regardless of wealth or social status.

India and UAF

India adopted Universal Adult Franchise at the very start โ€” in the Constitution of 1950. Every Indian citizen who is 18+ can vote. India was remarkable for granting UAF from independence without limiting it to the educated or wealthy โ€” a radical decision for a newly independent, largely illiterate nation.

Questions and Answers

What is universal adult franchise?+

Universal Adult Franchise is the right given to every adult citizen to vote in elections, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, education, or wealth.

What is the voting age in India?+

The voting age in India is 18 years, as per the 61st Constitutional Amendment of 1989.

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