Notes-NCERT-Class-8-Social Science-Chapter-5-Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System-CBSE

Introduction :

• India’s electoral system is defined by the principle of universal adult franchise, a foundational democratic pillar established at independence with the aim of ensuring equal political participation for all citizens.
• At the time of the Constitution's adoption in November 1949, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar described the adoption of the adult franchise as an experiment "boldly undertaken" with "abundant faith in the common man."

Universal Adult Franchise :

• Meaning: Every adult citizen of India (18 years and above) has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, education, income, or social status.
• Constitutional Basis: Article 326 of the Indian Constitution guarantees this right.
• Voting Age: Originally 21 years, reduced to 18 years in 1988 through the 61^st Constitutional Amendment.

Significance :

• Universal adult franchise is the foundation of democracy as it gives every citizen above 18 years the right to vote, irrespective of caste, religion, gender, or wealth.
• It ensures political equality by following the principle of “one person, one vote, one value.”
• This system makes leaders accountable to the people and promotes inclusivity and social justice.
• By empowering all citizens to participate in elections, universal franchise strengthens democracy and nation-building.

Historical Background :

• Before Independence, only 13% of Indians had the right to vote.
• Voting rights were limited and not universal.

Voting Rights of Women :

• India was among the first countries to give voting rights to women.
• This happened much earlier than countries like Switzerland, where women got voting rights in 1971.
• This shows India’s strong democratic and progressive values.

Without universal franchise, democracy would be incomplete. It is the mechanism that transforms the abstract idea of “rule by the people” into a practical reality, ensuring that governance reflects the will of the entire population, not just a privileged few.

Bridging Barriers: Inclusive Participation 

Importance of Participation :

• Democracy works well only when every eligible citizen takes part in voting.
• Full participation strengthens democratic values.

Need to Remove Barriers :

• Many voters face difficulties due to distance, age, or disability.
• Special steps are taken to ensure no voter is left out, even in remote areas.

Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI) :

The Election Commission of India has introduced several measures to increase voter participation:

• Polling Facilities in Remote Areas : Polling stations are set up in remote and hard-to-reach areas to make voting easier.
• Home Voting Facility (2024) : In 2024, elderly and specially-abled voters were allowed to vote from home for the first time.
• Braille-Enabled Voter Cards : Braille voter ID cards are provided for visually challenged voters.
• Support for Persons with Disabilities : Wheelchairs and ramps can be requested through mobile applications at polling stations.

Conclusion :

• Electoral authorities continuously adopt new methods and innovations.
• These efforts ensure that all citizens can vote without difficulty, strengthening Universal Franchise and democracy.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) :

The ECI is responsible for conducting free and fair elections across the nation.

Election Commission of India - A Brief Introduction :

• Election Commission of India was established in 1950.
• It is an independent constitutional body.

Functions :

• It is responsible for conducting free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Office of the President and Vice President of India.

Key functions performed by the ECI include:

• Registration: Registering political parties and managing voter lists.
• Scheduling: Setting the dates for elections and monitoring the entire process.
• Enforcement: Implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) from the date of announcement until results are declared.
• Scope: Oversees elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.

The first general elections of India after independence were held in 1951-52.

Managing the Electoral Process :

• Managing elections in India is a massive and complex task.
• The ECI continuously upgrades its systems to ensure free and fair elections.
• All elections follow a periodic schedule, with different elections occurring in various parts of the country each year as per their due dates.

Lok Sabha Elections (2024 Data) :

• Voter Base: 980 million registered voters.
• Constituencies: 543 parliamentary constituencies.
• Phases: The 2024 election was conducted in seven phases to manage logistics and security.

Seat Reservations: To ensure representation, seats are reserved for specific communities as given below:

• Scheduled Castes (SC): 84 seats (15.5%)
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): 47 seats (8.7%)
• General Category: 412 seats (75.9%)

Voting Technology :

• EVMs: Electronic Voting Machines provide faster counting, are cost-effective (saving paper), and reduce human error.
• VVPAT: The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail provides a printed slip to confirm the vote, creating a paper trail for recounts or audits.
• NOTA: The "None Of The Above" option allows voters to indicate disapproval of all candidates.

Steps in the Polling Station :

1. Verification: The first official checks the voter's name and ID proof.
2. Inking: The second official inks the index finger, takes a signature, and issues a slip.
3. Final Check: The third official checks the ink and collects the slip.
4. Casting the Vote: The voter presses the button on the EVM in the polling booth and hears a beep.

Know This : ·       India's Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems have been shared with countries like Namibia and Bhutan, and several others have studied and received training from India to adopt this technology.

Model Code of Conduct (MCC) :

The MCC is a set of guidelines to ensure fair play:

• Ruling parties cannot use government resources for campaigning.
• No new schemes announced after dates set.
• Candidates must behave respectfully and avoid violence.
• Bribery (e.g., distributing gifts or cash) is a punishable act.
• No use of caste/religion to solicit votes.

Historical Note :

• The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) began in Kerala in 1960 with support from major political parties. It was shared nationwide during the 1962 elections, and since 1991, the Election Commission has actively enforced it.
• N. Seshan (CEC, 1990) rigorously enforced these codes, transforming Indian elections into fair and transparent exercises.

Understanding Elections In India - A Very Brief Overview :

• General elections in India are called the “Festival of Democracy”.
• It is the time when eligible citizens vote freely and responsibly to choose their representatives.
• Elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.

System of Government :

• India follows a parliamentary system of governance.
• Citizens elect representatives to form different levels of government.

Types of Elected Governments in India :

There are three levels of government elected by the people:

• Lok Sabha – National level
• State Legislative Assemblies – State level
• Local Bodies – City and village level

Modern Challenges and the Road Ahead :

India’s Electoral System :

• India is the largest democracy in the world.
• It has the largest and most celebrated electoral system.

Major Challenges :

Like other democracies, India faces several challenges:

• Increasing influence of money in elections
• Criminalization of politics
• Voter apathy, especially in urban areas

Impact on Democracy :

• These challenges affect the future of Indian democracy.
• They raise serious concerns about strengthening democratic values.

Role of Voter Awareness :

• Empowering voters with information is essential.
• Media, education, and awareness campaigns should work together.
• This helps voters make informed and responsible choices.

Conclusion : An aware and alert voter is the strongest safeguard of democracy.

Democracy begins with asking the right questions and ends with casting a responsible vote.

Benefits and Risk of the Digital Age:

• Benefits: Social media allows for wider reach, real-time communication, and increased transparency.
• Risks: Misinformation, fake news, trolling, and the manipulation of public opinion through automated accounts are significant hurdles for the future of elections.

Historical Precedents of Transparency :

Democratic values in India are rooted in ancient traditions. The 10th-century Uttaramerur inscriptions describe a transparent representative selection process:

• Names were written on palm leaves and placed in a sealed pot.
• A young boy would draw the leaves randomly in public.
• A respected individual would read the names after showing empty hands to the public to prove the absence of bias.

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