The idea of a Universal Adult Franchise is based on which of the following?

1. Equality

2. Integrity

3. Sovereignty

4. Unity

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

The correct answer is 1 only.

Key Points

Universal Adult Franchise:

• This is a very important aspect of democratic societies.
• It means that all adult (those who are 18 and above) citizens have the right to vote irrespective of their social or economic backgrounds.
• The idea of a universal adult franchise is based on the idea of equality because it states that every adult in a country, irrespective of their wealth and the communities she/he belongs to, has one vote.
• Article 326 of the Indian constitution deals with the provision of Universal Adult Franchise.
• Earlier the voting age was 21 years but the 61st Constitution Amendment Act 1988 reduced the age for voting rights from 21 to 18. 

Characteristics of Equality: 

• Equality does not stand for absolute equality. It accepts the presence of some natural dissimilarities.
• Equality stands for the absence of all unnatural manmade inequalities and specially privileged classes in the society.
• Equality assumes the grant and guarantee of equal rights and freedoms to all the people.
• Equality infers the system of equal and adequate opportunities for all the people in society.