Experts have designed these Class 8 SST Notes Chapter 5 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Notes for effective learning.
Class 8 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Notes
Class 8 SST Chapter 5 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Notes
Class 8 SST Chapter 5 Notes – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Notes Class 8
→ India adopted universal adult franchise from the beginning of its democratic journey in 1950, reflecting deep trust in its citizens.
→ The decision reflected the visionary faith of the Constitution makers in democracy and equality.
→ Every Indian citizen aged 18 or above has the right to vote, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, income, education, or place
of birth.
→ The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years in 1988 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment.
→ Elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be based on Universal Adult Franchise (Article 326 of the Constitution).
→ Over 980 million voters participated in the 2024 General Elections, covering 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.
→ More than 3.1 million elected representatives serve across 2.5 lakh local government bodies, including 1.3 million women.
→ Before Independence, only 13% of Indians were allowed to vote, and the franchise was not universal.
→ India was among the earliest countries to grant voting rights to women, right from the adoption of the Constitution.
→ In contrast, many countries gave women voting rights much later. For instance, Switzerland granted women the right to vote only in 1971.
→ Importance of Universal Franchise:
- It ensures equality and inclusion in the democratic process.
- It allows people to choose leaders who best represent their needs and vision.
- It empowers individuals to participate in solving local problems.
- It removes discrimination based on caste, sex, education, property, or religion.
- It strengthens the legitimacy of elected governments.
- It enables citizens to shape the direction of policy and development.
→ India’s electoral system covers a geographically diverse and socially complex population, much larger than many
developed nations.
→ The population of eligible voters in India is fifteen times the population of the United Kingdom, o In terms of area, India is six times larger than France.
→ The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced several innovative measures to ensure that no eligible voter is left out.
→ These include:
- Polling stations in remote and difficult terrain (even for a single voter)
- Braille-enabled voter cards
- Wheelchair ramps and app-based assistance
- Postal ballots for specific categories of voters
→ In 2024, for the first time, the following measures were introduced:
- Home voting was made available for elderly and disabled voters.
- Assistive technologies and postal voting expanded electoral access.
- These steps reflect a commitment to making democracy truly inclusive and accessible.
→ The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced during elections to ensure ethical campaigning and prevent misuse of power or influence.
→ The MCC prohibits government announcements, use of public funds for campaigning, hate speech, and offering bribes to voters.
→ The MCC was first adopted in Kerala in 1960 and has been strictly enforced nationwide by the ECI since 1991.
→ T.N. Seshan, as Chief Election Commissioner (1990-1996), introduced significant reforms to strengthen electoral
integrity.
→ T.N. Seshan implemented voter ID cards, spending regulations, and strict enforcement of the MCC, making Indian elections more transparent and fearless.
→ Elections in India are of two types: direct elections (Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, Panchayats, Municipalities) and indirect elections (Rajya Sabha, President, Vice President).
→ Out of 245 members of the Rajya Sabha 233 are elected by MLAs using the single transferable vote system; 12 members are nominated by the President.
→ The President is elected by an electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs from states and union territories of Delhi and Puducherry.
→ The Vice President is elected by both elected and nominated members of Parliament and serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
→ The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House; one-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity.
→ An MP represents people at the national level in Parliament, while an MLA represents people at the state level in the Legislative Assembly.
→ A coalition is formed when two or more political parties join together to form a government.
→ Dissolution refers to the end or termination of a legislative body due to the completion of its term or constitutional reasons.
→ The classroom case study of Suryodaya School explains election principles through a student election using a secret ballot and inclusive practices like braille ballots.
→ NOTA (None of the Above) is an option on the ballot that allows voters to reject all candidates if they are unsatisfied with their choices.
→ Despite efforts, challenges remain in the electoral system, such as money power, criminalisation of politics, and voter apathy, especially in urban areas.
→ Strengthening voter education, encouraging youth participation, and using media responsibly can help build a more informed electorate.
→ Voting is not only a constitutional right but also a civic responsibility essential for sustaining democracy.
→ A vigilant and informed voter is the strongest safeguard of a democratic society.
→ Ensuring elections are accessible, inclusive, transparent, and fair is vital for a healthy and functioning democracy.
→ Franchise : The right granted by the Constitution or government to vote in elections.
→ Suffrage : Another word for franchise; refers to the right to vote.
→ Universal Adult Franchise : A system where all adult citizens (18 years and above) have the right to vote, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, income, or education.
→ Constituency : A defined area whose voters elect one representative to a legislative body.
→ Election Commission of India (ECI) : An independent constitutional authority that conducts free and fair elections in India.
→ Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) : A device used to record votes electronically.
→ Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) : A paper-based system linked to EVMs that lets voters verify their vote.
→ Model Code of Conduct (MCC) : A set of rules issued by the ECI to regulate the behaviour of political parties and candidates during elections.
→ Coalition : A group of political parties that join together to form a government when no single party wins a majority.
→ Dissolution : The formal ending of the term of a legislative body due to expiration or constitutional provision.
→ Bicameral Legislature : A legislature with two separate houses, such as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
→ Electoral College : A body of elected representatives (MPs and MLAs) who elect the President and Vice President of India.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Notes
This chapter explains how the universal adult franchise gives equal voting rights to all citizens above 18, the role of the Election Commission, the electoral process, and the challenges ahead, highlighting the need for reforms to ensure a fair and inclusive democracy.
Universal Adult Franchise
- Universal Adult Franchise (UAF) means every Indian citizen who is 18 years or older has the right to vote. It doesn’t matter what is their caste, religion, gender, education, or income. Everyone’s vote counts equally.
- In 1988, the voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18, so young people could also take part in choosing their leaders.
- Article 326 of the Constitution gives the right to vote to all adults in India, and every person must cast their vote, and no one can vote on another’s behalf.
- To vote, you must register as a voter in your area. However, someone who has committed a serious crime may lose the right to vote.
- In the 2024 general elections, about 980 million people in India were allowed to vote and choose leaders for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.
- Today, India has over 3.1 million elected leaders, including 1.3 million women, in more than 2.5 lakh local government bodies. All these are democratically elected through a Universal Adult Franchise.
The India Gave Everyone a Voice – Right from the Start!
- Before India became independent, only 13% of people could vote, and rest of them were not allowed to vote. In 1947, India granted equal voting rights to all adults, including women, regardless of literacy or education of many other countries.
- For example, Switzerland gave women the right to vote only in 1971.
Bridging Barriers, Enabling Participation: Ensuring Universal Franchise
Universal Adult Franchise Ensures
- Democracy works well when everyone can vote easily and fairly.
- India is a big and diverse country, so conducting elections is difficult.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensures no one is left out. Electoral officials travel to remote locations to ensure every citizen can cast their vote.
- Elections in India are called the “Festival of Democracy”, where people choose their leaders freely and fairly.
In 2024 some steps were taken to ensure that everyone exercise their democratic rights. It includes the following:- Older people and people with disabilities were allowed to vote from home.
- Postal voting option was given to some voters.
- Braille voter cards, mobile apps, ramps, and wheelchairs helped make voting easier for everyone.
Uttaramerur’s Transparent Selection Method
- The 10th-century Uttaramerur inscriptions describe a fair and transparent method for choosing representatives. The names of eligible candidates were written on palm leaf pieces and placed in a sealed pot.
- On the day of selection, the pot was opened in public, and a young boy randomly picked the leaves one by one. A respected elder, after showing his empty hands to ensure fairness, read out the names of the selected candidates.
The role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the body that handles the elections.
- India is a parliamentary democracy, where citizens choose their representatives for the Lok Sabha at the national level.
Election Commission of India- A brief Introduction
- The Election Commission of India is an independent Constitutional body4. It was established in 1950. It conducts elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the President and Vice President of India.
- The first general elections in independent India were held in 1951-52.
- The ECI performs important tasks like
- Setting election dates
- Registering political parties
- Enforcing the model Code of Conduct
- Overseeing the entire electoral process
Structure of the Election Commission of India
Managing the Electoral Process
- Managing elections in India is a huge task. The Election Commission of India (ECI) continuously upgrades its systems to ensure free and fair elections.
- Elections are held regularly and at different times in various parts of the country, including state assembly polls.
India’s EVMs and VVPAT -Trusted Worldwide
- VVPAT is a system that produces a physical paper record, allowing voters to verify that their electronic votes were cast correctly. It acts as a backup in case recounts or verification are needed.
- Countries like Namibia and Bhutan have adopted India’s Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT systems with support from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Many other countries have also studied and received training in this technology.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
- It outlines the do’s and don’ts for leaders, political parties, and candidates, which must be strictly followed during the election period.
- Elements of the code are
- The ruling party cannot use government resources or start new schemes to gain votes.
- All candidates must behave respectfully and help keep the elections peaceful.
- Giving voters gifts or money to get their vote is not allowed. It is a punishable offence.
- The Model Code of Conduct was first adopted in Kerala in 1960 and was voluntarily accepted by representatives of the major political parties of that time.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) shared it during the 1962 general elections, and since 1991, the ECI has actively enforced it to ensure fair elections.
T.N. Seshan-The Game Changer of Indian Elections
- In 1990, T.N. Seshan became the Chief Election Commissioner and introduced major reforms to ensure free and fair elections.
- His key reforms included
- Strict rules for campaigning
- Voter ID cards to stop fake voting
- Close watch on candidate spendings
Understanding Elections in India- A Very Brief Overview
Election to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
India has three levels of elections
(i) Lok Sabha (National level)
(ii) State Legislative Assemblies (State level)
(iii) Local Bodies (City and village level)
- Lok Sabha There are 543 Lok Sabha constituencies . The elected candidates of the Lok Sabha elections are called MPs (Members of Parliament).
- Legislative Assembly The elected candidates of the state elections are called MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly).
- India uses the ‘First-Past-the-Post’ system, where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without getting 50% of the total votes.
Formation of Government
- After voting, the political party or coalition that wins a majority in the Lok Sabha forms the national government. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister.
- Similarly, at the state level, the majority party forms the government, and its leader becomes the Chief Minister.
Role of the State Election Commission
- The State Election Commission is an integral part of the election system. It conducts local body elections at the grassroots level and works in consultation with the ECI.
- It follows the principles of universal adult franchise and other constitutional provisions related to direct elections.
Election to the Rajya Sabha
- The candidates elected to the Rajya Sabha are also known as Member of Parliament (MPs).
- Rajya Sabha MPs are elected through indirect elections.
Composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
- Total Members There are 245 members in Rajya Sabha
- Elected Members 233 members are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories (with legislatures).
- Nominated Members 12 members are nominated by the President of India from among persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
Seat Distribution
- The number of seats allocated to each state and Union Territory varies based oh its population.
- For example, Uttar Pradesh has more Rajya Sabha seats than Arunachal Pradesh due to its larger population.
Key Features of Rajya Sabha Elections
- Permanent House
- The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved.
- Tenure of Members
- Each member serves a term of six years.
- One-third of the members retire every two years, and elections are held to fill those vacant seats.
- Election Method
- Members are elected through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system of proportional representation, which ensures fair representation, especially for smaller states.
Election of the President of India
- The President of India is not elected directly by the people. Instead, the Electoral College elects the President. This Electoral College consists of
- MPs (Members of Parliament) from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- MLAs (Members of Legislative Assemblies) from all states and union territories of Delhi and Puducherry
- The Single Transferable Vote system is used in the election of the President of India. Since the President represents the entire country, this method ensures that both the central and state governments have a say in the election.
- The rules for voting and counting are detailed, and more populous states have a greater influence in the process. The following members are not allowed to vote in the Presidential election
- Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha.
- Nominated members of State Legislative Assemblies.
- Members of the Legislative Councils (upper houses in some states) in bicameral legislatures.
- Nominated members from Delhi and Puducherry.
- Only directly elected representatives vote to elect the President, which upholds democratic legitimacy and ensures that the indirect election still reflects the will of the people.
Election of the Vice President of India
- The Electoral College elects the Vice President of India, comprised of both elected and nominated members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). The Single Transferable Vote system is used.
- The Vice President of India serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
- In case the President is unable to perform their duties, the Vice President temporarily takes over the responsibilities of the President.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
- India has the world’s largest democracy. However, it also faces some problems, like spending too much money on elections, candidates with criminal records, and fewer people voting in cities. These problems can raise questions about the health and future of democracy.
- To improve this, voters must be given correct information. Media, education, and awareness campaigns should help people, especially the youth, understand the value of voting.
- A responsible and informed voter is the best way to protect democracy.