Question

Regarding the voting age and election basis in India, choose the correct statements:

1. Adult suffrage for elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is guaranteed under Article 326.

2. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Constitutional Amendment passed in 1989.

3. The first Indian state to conduct elections based on adult suffrage was Kerala.
   Select the correct answer:
   

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

Indian Polity & Election - Voting Age and Election Basis

• Article 326 of the Indian Constitution: This article enshrines the principle of adult suffrage for elections to both the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and the State Legislative Assemblies. It mandates that all citizens who have attained the age of twenty-one years (prior to an amendment) and are otherwise qualified, shall be entitled to vote, without discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or any of them.
• 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989: This landmark amendment significantly altered the voting age in India. It reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years. This change aimed to increase the participation of youth in the democratic process and was enacted during the Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi. The amendment was made to Article 326 of the Constitution.
• Historical Context of Voting Age: Prior to the 61st Amendment, the voting age was 21 years. The demand to lower it to 18 gained momentum with various youth movements and global trends where younger citizens were recognized as capable of participating in governance.
• Adult Suffrage in India: India adopted adult suffrage from the commencement of the Constitution in 1950. However, the minimum age for voting was initially 21 years.
• Elections in Kerala: While Kerala has a long and significant history of democratic and electoral participation, the statement regarding it being the first state to conduct elections based on adult suffrage is not accurate in the context of the nationwide adoption of adult suffrage as enshrined in the Constitution. The principle of adult suffrage was applied to all parliamentary and assembly elections from the outset, subject to the age qualification at the time.