MISSION SURYA PROGRAMME

Voting Rights in India (MOST EXPECTED QUESTION)

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🔎 Relevance for Prelims 2026

• 2026 marks 15 years of National Voters’ Day (2011–2026).
• The topic combines Indian Polity with Current Affairs, particularly electoral awareness, youth participation, and democratic consolidation.
• Suitable for statement-based MCQs.

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1️⃣ Constitutional Position of Voting Rights

• The right to vote in India is not a Fundamental Right.
• It is a statutory right regulated by Parliamentary legislation.

Constitutional Provision

• Article 326 mandates elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on adult suffrage.

Statutory Framework

• Representation of the People Act, 1950 → Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951 → Conduct of elections and disqualifications.

The Supreme Court has clarified that although the right to vote is statutory, the act of voting forms part of the freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a).

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2️⃣ Universal Adult Franchise

• Every citizen of India aged 18 years or above is eligible to vote.
• The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.

Salient Feature

Voting rights are granted without discrimination on grounds of:

• Religion
• Race
• Caste
• Sex
• Property
• Education

India adopted universal adult suffrage at the time of independence, reflecting a strong commitment to democratic inclusiveness.

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3️⃣ National Voters’ Day

• Observed annually on 25 January.
• First celebrated in 2011.
• 2026 marks the completion of 15 years.

Objectives

• Encourage enrolment of new voters, particularly youth.
• Promote informed, ethical, and participative voting.
• Strengthen democratic engagement.

Organising Authority

• Election Commission of India

25 January is also the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (1950).

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4️⃣ Eligibility Conditions for Voting

A person is eligible for inclusion in the electoral roll if he or she:

• Is a citizen of India.
• Has attained the age of 18 years.
• Is ordinarily resident in the concerned constituency.

Disqualifications

• Non-citizenship.
• Unsoundness of mind as declared by a competent court.
• Disqualification arising from corrupt practices or electoral offences.

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5️⃣ Overseas and Special Category Voters

Overseas (NRI) Voters

• Must be Indian citizens.
• Name must be included in the electoral roll.
• Voting permitted only in person at the polling station in India.
• No provision for online or postal voting.

Service Voters

• Members of the armed forces, CAPFs, and government officials posted abroad.
• Voting through postal ballot or proxy voting (in specific cases).

India does not presently allow remote online voting for general elections.

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📌 Mission Surya Prelims Angle

Revise carefully for:

• Nature of voting rights (Fundamental vs Statutory)
• Article 326
• Representation of the People Act 1950 vs 1951
• 61st Constitutional Amendment Act
• National Voters’ Day details
• Overseas & service voter provisions