5. Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System

Yes, it was a good move.

• At 18, young people are mature enough to understand issues and make choices.
• They can drive, work and take other important decisions at this age.
• Youth form a large part of India’s population. Their voice should be heard.
• It brings fresh ideas into politics and makes democracy stronger.
• Voting early builds the habit of participating in democracy.

The voting age is 18 years. A Grade 8 student is usually about 13 years old. So the student has to wait about 18 − 13 = 5 years.

• They had faith in the wisdom of the common people. Being unable to read does not mean being unable to judge what is good.
• Limiting the vote to literates would have left out most Indians, especially women and the poor.
• It would have been unfair, because illiteracy was due to poverty and lack of opportunity.
• Democracy means government by all the people, so everyone must have a say.
• Every person is affected by government decisions, so every person must have a vote.

• It gives a voice to the poor, women and weaker sections, so their needs are not ignored.
• It builds a feeling of belonging and unity among all citizens.

Other reasons you may add: it makes the government legitimate; it encourages people to stay informed.

• They make sure that no voter is left behind, so franchise becomes truly universal.
• The elderly and persons with disabilities can vote with dignity and without difficulty.
• When voting is easier, more people come out to vote, so participation increases.
• Technology helps through apps to request a wheelchair, find polling booths, check names on the voter list and get information in braille or audio.

Possible reasons:

• People working or studying away from home cannot travel to vote.
• Lack of interest or a feeling that one vote does not matter.
• Names missing from the voter list.
• Long queues, hot weather, illness or old age.
• Lack of awareness about candidates.

Suggestions:

• Voter awareness campaigns in schools and colleges.
• Easy online registration and checking of names.
• More polling booths and facilities like shade and water.
• Paid holiday on polling day.

Candidates with clear promises, fair campaigning, an Election Officer, a secret ballot, a sealed ballot box, counting in front of a witness and the announcement of results.

So that no one knows who voted for whom. Students can vote freely without fear or pressure.

Which promise would help the class most, whether the candidate could fulfil it, and the candidate’s behaviour and abilities.

Yes. They should cooperate with her, take part in peer coaching, give suggestions and check whether she keeps her promises.

She was the Election Officer. She explained the rules, set up the booth, sealed the ballot box and counted votes with a witness. This kept the election fair and transparent.

So that Neha, who is visually challenged, could vote independently and secretly like others. Every voter must get an equal chance.

Many votes would be invalid. The winner would be chosen by only a few students and might not represent the whole class.

• Gifts to voters — influencing voters with gifts in return for votes is punishable.
• Abusive language — candidates must show restraint so that elections are peaceful.
• Officials campaigning — government resources and officials must not be used for elections. It gives an unfair advantage to the ruling party.
• Bundles of cash — it suggests money may be used to buy votes, and it breaks the limits on election spending.

In Maharashtra it is called the Vidhan Sabha. In Kerala it is called the Niyama Sabha. Write the name used in your state.

Concerns: The MP is concerned with national issues such as defence, railways, foreign relations and national laws. The MLA is concerned with state issues such as police, state roads, hospitals, schools and agriculture in the area.

Only directly elected representatives vote for the President. This keeps the election democratic, because these representatives have been chosen by the people. The common people do not vote directly because India is a parliamentary democracy. The President represents the will of the people indirectly, through their elected MPs and MLAs.

• Every adult citizen gets one vote and all votes have equal value.
• There is no discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, gender, education or wealth.
• Everyone’s voice matters in deciding the nation’s future.
• Elected representatives remain answerable to the people. People can vote them out.
• It encourages citizens to take part in solving problems.

A secret ballot means that the voter’s choice is kept private. No one knows whom a person has voted for.

It is important because voters can vote freely without fear, pressure or bribery. It makes elections free and fair.

Direct elections (people vote directly): Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, gram panchayats and municipal corporations.

Indirect elections (elected representatives vote): Rajya Sabha (elected by MLAs), President of India (elected by MPs and MLAs) and Vice President (elected by MPs).

• Counting is fast and accurate.
• There are no invalid votes due to wrong marking.
• It saves a huge amount of paper.
• It is easy to carry and use, even in remote areas.
• VVPAT gives a paper slip so that voters can verify their vote.

Reasons:

• Voter apathy — people feel their vote will not make a difference.
• Busy work schedules; people treat polling day as a holiday.
• People who have shifted homes may not be registered at their new address.
• Long queues and inconvenience.

Steps:

• Awareness campaigns, especially for the youth.
• Easy registration and transfer of voter names.
• More polling booths in housing societies.
• Employers should make sure workers get time to vote.

Benefits:

• Quick information about candidates and their promises.
• Young people take more interest in elections.
• Voters can ask questions and give feedback directly.

Challenges:

• Fake news and misleading videos spread quickly.
• Hate speech and abuse can create tension.
• Money power can be used for paid online campaigns.

Future: Digital campaigning will grow. Voters must check facts and think carefully before believing or sharing posts.