How "Right to Vote" Emerged in India?

India, a nation where politics serves as a perennial topic of discussion among both the young and the old, paradoxically witnesses a scarcity of individuals willing to engage actively in political processes.

As citizens, our constitution affords us all the opportunity to participate in the formation of government. Subject to specific requirements and conditions, we possess the right to contest elections as well as to cast our votes.

Why is the "Right to Vote" Not a Fundamental Right?

While the right to vote empowers us to select our representatives, it is not categorized as a fundamental right. Instead, it is regarded as a legal right under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, Section 62(1), in India, unlike in the United States where it is considered a civil right.

The inaugural general elections in India took place in 1945, during the period when India was undivided and under British rule. Following Independence, the first elections for the Lok Sabha occurred between 25th October 1951 and 21st February 1952.

Sukumar Sen often hailed as the Father of the Election System in India, served as the country's first Chief Election Commissioner.

The Indian National Congress emerged victorious in the 1951 elections.

Article 326 of the Indian Constitution mandates that elections for the Legislative Assembly of every state shall be based on Universal Adult Franchise or Universal Suffrage.

Universal Suffrage guarantees the right to vote to every adult citizen above the age of 18, irrespective of wealth, gender, caste, income, social status, race, or any other restrictions. This minimum voting age varies across countries but typically ranges between 18 to 25 years.

The Journey Towards Universal Suffrage

In ancient democracies, voting rights were often constrained by various factors such as gender, income, property ownership, social status, and religion. Terms like "Universal Men's Suffrage" or "One man, One vote" were prevalent, reflecting the limited scope of electoral participation.

The journey towards universal suffrage in India witnessed significant milestones. Initially, voting rights were granted under certain restrictions, with only men allowed to vote during British rule. 

The Women's Suffrage Movement catalyzed change, leading to limited voting rights for property-owning women in 1918. Subsequent advocacy efforts gradually expanded women's voting rights, culminating in universal suffrage in 1947.

The voting age in India was initially set at 21 but was later reduced to 18 through the 61st Amendment to the Constitution in 1988.

Universal suffrage has been a global endeavour, with countries like the United States granting women the right to vote in 1920 and New Zealand pioneering universal suffrage in 1893.

In India, universal suffrage was introduced on 26th January 1950, coinciding with the nation's first Republic Day, symbolizing the transition to a democratic country.

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, democracy represents a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Each citizen bears the responsibility for the nation's development and upliftment by judiciously exercising their right to vote and selecting deserving candidates to lead the nation. 

Therefore, it is imperative to cast votes thoughtfully and never squander this invaluable opportunity.

Written by: Nidhi Jha