PPT: Universal Franchise and India's Electoral System | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


Universal Franchise 
and India's Electoral 
System
Page 2


Universal Franchise 
and India's Electoral 
System
What is Universal Adult Franchise?
Definition
Right granted by constitution or 
government
Suffrage
Another term for franchise
Universal Franchise
All adult citizens can vote
Equality
No discrimination by caste or creed
Inclusion
Regardless of gender or income
Legal Basis
Protected by constitution and laws
Page 3


Universal Franchise 
and India's Electoral 
System
What is Universal Adult Franchise?
Definition
Right granted by constitution or 
government
Suffrage
Another term for franchise
Universal Franchise
All adult citizens can vote
Equality
No discrimination by caste or creed
Inclusion
Regardless of gender or income
Legal Basis
Protected by constitution and laws
Bridging Barriers, Enabling 
Participation
Democracy thrives when every eligible citizen can 
freely and fairly participate in the electoral process. 
India's size and diversity present unique challenges:
Population of eligible voters is fifteen times that of 
the United Kingdom
In terms of area, India is six times larger than France
Geographic diversity requires innovative solutions
Electoral officials travel to remote locations to 
ensure every citizen can exercise their democratic 
right.
Page 4


Universal Franchise 
and India's Electoral 
System
What is Universal Adult Franchise?
Definition
Right granted by constitution or 
government
Suffrage
Another term for franchise
Universal Franchise
All adult citizens can vote
Equality
No discrimination by caste or creed
Inclusion
Regardless of gender or income
Legal Basis
Protected by constitution and laws
Bridging Barriers, Enabling 
Participation
Democracy thrives when every eligible citizen can 
freely and fairly participate in the electoral process. 
India's size and diversity present unique challenges:
Population of eligible voters is fifteen times that of 
the United Kingdom
In terms of area, India is six times larger than France
Geographic diversity requires innovative solutions
Electoral officials travel to remote locations to 
ensure every citizen can exercise their democratic 
right.
Accessibility Measures
Home Voting
In 2024, for the first time, the elderly and people with disabilities could cast their votes from 
home.
Postal Voting
Postal voting option was available for a specific category of voters.
Assistive Technologies
Braille-enabled voter cards and app-based requests for assistance, including wheelchairs 
and ramps.
The Election Commission of India has taken several innovative accessibility measures to remove 
barriers to exercising the franchise and ensure no voter is left behind.
Page 5


Universal Franchise 
and India's Electoral 
System
What is Universal Adult Franchise?
Definition
Right granted by constitution or 
government
Suffrage
Another term for franchise
Universal Franchise
All adult citizens can vote
Equality
No discrimination by caste or creed
Inclusion
Regardless of gender or income
Legal Basis
Protected by constitution and laws
Bridging Barriers, Enabling 
Participation
Democracy thrives when every eligible citizen can 
freely and fairly participate in the electoral process. 
India's size and diversity present unique challenges:
Population of eligible voters is fifteen times that of 
the United Kingdom
In terms of area, India is six times larger than France
Geographic diversity requires innovative solutions
Electoral officials travel to remote locations to 
ensure every citizen can exercise their democratic 
right.
Accessibility Measures
Home Voting
In 2024, for the first time, the elderly and people with disabilities could cast their votes from 
home.
Postal Voting
Postal voting option was available for a specific category of voters.
Assistive Technologies
Braille-enabled voter cards and app-based requests for assistance, including wheelchairs 
and ramps.
The Election Commission of India has taken several innovative accessibility measures to remove 
barriers to exercising the franchise and ensure no voter is left behind.
The Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional body 
responsible for conducting free and fair elections. It was established in 1950 and 
conducts elections to:
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
State Legislative Assemblies
Offices of the President and Vice President
The first general elections in independent India were held in 1951-1952.