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

 Page 1


117
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
CHAPTER
Universal Franchise and 
India’s Electoral System 
5
[India] adopted the principle of adult franchise with an 
abundant faith in the common man and the ultimate 
success of democratic rule…never before in the history 
of the world has such an experiment been so boldly 
undertaken.”
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
1. What is universal adult 
franchise?
2. What is an electoral system?
3. How does India’s electoral 
system work?
The Big
Questions
Fig. 5.1. Headlines of major newspapers during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Chapter 5.indd   117 05-07-2025   17:42:10
Page 2


117
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
CHAPTER
Universal Franchise and 
India’s Electoral System 
5
[India] adopted the principle of adult franchise with an 
abundant faith in the common man and the ultimate 
success of democratic rule…never before in the history 
of the world has such an experiment been so boldly 
undertaken.”
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
1. What is universal adult 
franchise?
2. What is an electoral system?
3. How does India’s electoral 
system work?
The Big
Questions
Fig. 5.1. Headlines of major newspapers during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Chapter 5.indd   117 05-07-2025   17:42:10
Franchise: 
A right 
granted by the 
constitution or 
government.
Another term 
that is used 
is ?suffrage' a 
synonym of 
franchise.
Universal Adult Franchise
The Constitution makers decided that universal adult franchise 
would be a feature of Indian democracy right from the outset. 
This means that every adult citizen gets one vote, and all votes 
have equal value. Hence, every Indian citizen aged 18 and 
above has the right to vote — irrespective of caste, creed, race, 
religion, gender, education, income, etc. The word ‘universal’ 
connotes this. 
LET’S EXPLORE
India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 
1988. Discuss whether this was a good move. 
Universal franchise is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. 
Elections to the Lok Sabha, the legislative assembly of every 
state and union territory, and all the local elections in villages 
and cities are based on universal franchise (Article 326 of the 
Constitution). Remember that no one can vote on another’s 
behalf.
Æ Can you calculate how long you have to wait before you 
can vote?
To be able to exercise your right, you need to be registered as a 
voter in your constituency. However, one is barred from voting 
if found guilty of committing certain serious crimes. 
It’s just 
voting!
Why is everyone 
so excited?
Just voting? It’s the 
biggest celebration of 
our democracy — 
the general elections! 
118
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Fig. 5.2. 
Chapter 5.indd   118 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Page 3


117
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
CHAPTER
Universal Franchise and 
India’s Electoral System 
5
[India] adopted the principle of adult franchise with an 
abundant faith in the common man and the ultimate 
success of democratic rule…never before in the history 
of the world has such an experiment been so boldly 
undertaken.”
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
1. What is universal adult 
franchise?
2. What is an electoral system?
3. How does India’s electoral 
system work?
The Big
Questions
Fig. 5.1. Headlines of major newspapers during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Chapter 5.indd   117 05-07-2025   17:42:10
Franchise: 
A right 
granted by the 
constitution or 
government.
Another term 
that is used 
is ?suffrage' a 
synonym of 
franchise.
Universal Adult Franchise
The Constitution makers decided that universal adult franchise 
would be a feature of Indian democracy right from the outset. 
This means that every adult citizen gets one vote, and all votes 
have equal value. Hence, every Indian citizen aged 18 and 
above has the right to vote — irrespective of caste, creed, race, 
religion, gender, education, income, etc. The word ‘universal’ 
connotes this. 
LET’S EXPLORE
India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 
1988. Discuss whether this was a good move. 
Universal franchise is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. 
Elections to the Lok Sabha, the legislative assembly of every 
state and union territory, and all the local elections in villages 
and cities are based on universal franchise (Article 326 of the 
Constitution). Remember that no one can vote on another’s 
behalf.
Æ Can you calculate how long you have to wait before you 
can vote?
To be able to exercise your right, you need to be registered as a 
voter in your constituency. However, one is barred from voting 
if found guilty of committing certain serious crimes. 
It’s just 
voting!
Why is everyone 
so excited?
Just voting? It’s the 
biggest celebration of 
our democracy — 
the general elections! 
118
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Fig. 5.2. 
Chapter 5.indd   118 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Do you remember India had a general election in the summer 
of 2024? About 980 million voters were eligible to exercise their 
franchise for the 543 constituencies of the Lok Sabha. 
 DON’T MISS OUT
India has 3.1 million elected representatives (1.3 million of them 
women) in more than 250,000 local government bodies across 
India. All these are democratically elected through universal 
adult franchise. 
We need an elaborate and well-organised system to manage this 
massive exercise and ensure that the elections take place fairly 
and freely. In this chapter, we will briefly explore who can vote,  
a few of the types of elections we have, the electoral system, and 
how it is organised.
DON’T MISS OUT
Æ Before Independence, only 13 per cent of Indians were 
allowed to vote, and franchise was not universal. We will 
delve more into this in another part of the textbook. 
Æ India was among 
the early nations 
to grant women 
the right to vote, 
ahead of many 
others around 
the world. For 
example, women 
were given the 
right to vote in 
Switzerland only in 1971. Women fought long and hard in 
many countries to win this fundamental democratic right. 
In India, on the other hand, a progressive constitutional 
vision and deep democratic values rooted in India’s 
ancient traditions ensured women had voting rights from 
the very beginning.
Constituency:
An area whose 
voters elect a 
representative 
to a legislative 
body.
System:
A group of 
interconnected 
or interdependent 
elements that 
work together 
to achieve a 
common purpose 
or function.
 Fig. 5.3. Women’s suffrage parade, USA, 1913
119
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
Chapter 5.indd   119 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Page 4


117
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
CHAPTER
Universal Franchise and 
India’s Electoral System 
5
[India] adopted the principle of adult franchise with an 
abundant faith in the common man and the ultimate 
success of democratic rule…never before in the history 
of the world has such an experiment been so boldly 
undertaken.”
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
1. What is universal adult 
franchise?
2. What is an electoral system?
3. How does India’s electoral 
system work?
The Big
Questions
Fig. 5.1. Headlines of major newspapers during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Chapter 5.indd   117 05-07-2025   17:42:10
Franchise: 
A right 
granted by the 
constitution or 
government.
Another term 
that is used 
is ?suffrage' a 
synonym of 
franchise.
Universal Adult Franchise
The Constitution makers decided that universal adult franchise 
would be a feature of Indian democracy right from the outset. 
This means that every adult citizen gets one vote, and all votes 
have equal value. Hence, every Indian citizen aged 18 and 
above has the right to vote — irrespective of caste, creed, race, 
religion, gender, education, income, etc. The word ‘universal’ 
connotes this. 
LET’S EXPLORE
India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 
1988. Discuss whether this was a good move. 
Universal franchise is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. 
Elections to the Lok Sabha, the legislative assembly of every 
state and union territory, and all the local elections in villages 
and cities are based on universal franchise (Article 326 of the 
Constitution). Remember that no one can vote on another’s 
behalf.
Æ Can you calculate how long you have to wait before you 
can vote?
To be able to exercise your right, you need to be registered as a 
voter in your constituency. However, one is barred from voting 
if found guilty of committing certain serious crimes. 
It’s just 
voting!
Why is everyone 
so excited?
Just voting? It’s the 
biggest celebration of 
our democracy — 
the general elections! 
118
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Fig. 5.2. 
Chapter 5.indd   118 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Do you remember India had a general election in the summer 
of 2024? About 980 million voters were eligible to exercise their 
franchise for the 543 constituencies of the Lok Sabha. 
 DON’T MISS OUT
India has 3.1 million elected representatives (1.3 million of them 
women) in more than 250,000 local government bodies across 
India. All these are democratically elected through universal 
adult franchise. 
We need an elaborate and well-organised system to manage this 
massive exercise and ensure that the elections take place fairly 
and freely. In this chapter, we will briefly explore who can vote,  
a few of the types of elections we have, the electoral system, and 
how it is organised.
DON’T MISS OUT
Æ Before Independence, only 13 per cent of Indians were 
allowed to vote, and franchise was not universal. We will 
delve more into this in another part of the textbook. 
Æ India was among 
the early nations 
to grant women 
the right to vote, 
ahead of many 
others around 
the world. For 
example, women 
were given the 
right to vote in 
Switzerland only in 1971. Women fought long and hard in 
many countries to win this fundamental democratic right. 
In India, on the other hand, a progressive constitutional 
vision and deep democratic values rooted in India’s 
ancient traditions ensured women had voting rights from 
the very beginning.
Constituency:
An area whose 
voters elect a 
representative 
to a legislative 
body.
System:
A group of 
interconnected 
or interdependent 
elements that 
work together 
to achieve a 
common purpose 
or function.
 Fig. 5.3. Women’s suffrage parade, USA, 1913
119
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
Chapter 5.indd   119 05-07-2025   17:42:12
LET’S EXPLORE
In 1947, our literacy rate was about 14 per cent, only about 
8 per cent among women. Some argued that the right to vote 
should be given only to literate people. Discuss in your group 
why the Constitution makers may have decided on universal 
franchise from the time of Independence itself.
There are several reasons why universal franchise is so 
important. A few are illustrated in the mindmap below. Can you 
add some more? 
Fig. 5.4. Importance of universal franchise in a democracy. Add two reasons 
of your own in the empty boxes. 
Bridging Barriers, Enabling 
Participation: Ensuring Universal 
Franchise 
Democracy thrives when every eligible citizen can freely and 
fairly participate in the electoral process. Voting in elections is 
a powerful way for people to express their will. How does this 
take place in India?
Power to 
determine 
one’s 
future
Everyone is 
equal
Everyone’s 
voice matters
Elected 
representatives 
answerable to 
electorate
Fosters civic 
engagement
Why 
universal 
adult 
franchise?
People 
decide what 
type of future 
they want and 
who can best 
represent 
them
People 
participate in 
solving problems 
in their area
No 
discrimination 
based on caste, 
creed, sex, 
education, 
wealth etc.
All can 
participate 
in deciding 
the nation’s 
future.
People 
vote
 them out in
elections
120
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Chapter 5.indd   120 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Page 5


117
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
CHAPTER
Universal Franchise and 
India’s Electoral System 
5
[India] adopted the principle of adult franchise with an 
abundant faith in the common man and the ultimate 
success of democratic rule…never before in the history 
of the world has such an experiment been so boldly 
undertaken.”
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
1. What is universal adult 
franchise?
2. What is an electoral system?
3. How does India’s electoral 
system work?
The Big
Questions
Fig. 5.1. Headlines of major newspapers during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Chapter 5.indd   117 05-07-2025   17:42:10
Franchise: 
A right 
granted by the 
constitution or 
government.
Another term 
that is used 
is ?suffrage' a 
synonym of 
franchise.
Universal Adult Franchise
The Constitution makers decided that universal adult franchise 
would be a feature of Indian democracy right from the outset. 
This means that every adult citizen gets one vote, and all votes 
have equal value. Hence, every Indian citizen aged 18 and 
above has the right to vote — irrespective of caste, creed, race, 
religion, gender, education, income, etc. The word ‘universal’ 
connotes this. 
LET’S EXPLORE
India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 
1988. Discuss whether this was a good move. 
Universal franchise is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. 
Elections to the Lok Sabha, the legislative assembly of every 
state and union territory, and all the local elections in villages 
and cities are based on universal franchise (Article 326 of the 
Constitution). Remember that no one can vote on another’s 
behalf.
Æ Can you calculate how long you have to wait before you 
can vote?
To be able to exercise your right, you need to be registered as a 
voter in your constituency. However, one is barred from voting 
if found guilty of committing certain serious crimes. 
It’s just 
voting!
Why is everyone 
so excited?
Just voting? It’s the 
biggest celebration of 
our democracy — 
the general elections! 
118
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Fig. 5.2. 
Chapter 5.indd   118 05-07-2025   17:42:12
Do you remember India had a general election in the summer 
of 2024? About 980 million voters were eligible to exercise their 
franchise for the 543 constituencies of the Lok Sabha. 
 DON’T MISS OUT
India has 3.1 million elected representatives (1.3 million of them 
women) in more than 250,000 local government bodies across 
India. All these are democratically elected through universal 
adult franchise. 
We need an elaborate and well-organised system to manage this 
massive exercise and ensure that the elections take place fairly 
and freely. In this chapter, we will briefly explore who can vote,  
a few of the types of elections we have, the electoral system, and 
how it is organised.
DON’T MISS OUT
Æ Before Independence, only 13 per cent of Indians were 
allowed to vote, and franchise was not universal. We will 
delve more into this in another part of the textbook. 
Æ India was among 
the early nations 
to grant women 
the right to vote, 
ahead of many 
others around 
the world. For 
example, women 
were given the 
right to vote in 
Switzerland only in 1971. Women fought long and hard in 
many countries to win this fundamental democratic right. 
In India, on the other hand, a progressive constitutional 
vision and deep democratic values rooted in India’s 
ancient traditions ensured women had voting rights from 
the very beginning.
Constituency:
An area whose 
voters elect a 
representative 
to a legislative 
body.
System:
A group of 
interconnected 
or interdependent 
elements that 
work together 
to achieve a 
common purpose 
or function.
 Fig. 5.3. Women’s suffrage parade, USA, 1913
119
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
Chapter 5.indd   119 05-07-2025   17:42:12
LET’S EXPLORE
In 1947, our literacy rate was about 14 per cent, only about 
8 per cent among women. Some argued that the right to vote 
should be given only to literate people. Discuss in your group 
why the Constitution makers may have decided on universal 
franchise from the time of Independence itself.
There are several reasons why universal franchise is so 
important. A few are illustrated in the mindmap below. Can you 
add some more? 
Fig. 5.4. Importance of universal franchise in a democracy. Add two reasons 
of your own in the empty boxes. 
Bridging Barriers, Enabling 
Participation: Ensuring Universal 
Franchise 
Democracy thrives when every eligible citizen can freely and 
fairly participate in the electoral process. Voting in elections is 
a powerful way for people to express their will. How does this 
take place in India?
Power to 
determine 
one’s 
future
Everyone is 
equal
Everyone’s 
voice matters
Elected 
representatives 
answerable to 
electorate
Fosters civic 
engagement
Why 
universal 
adult 
franchise?
People 
decide what 
type of future 
they want and 
who can best 
represent 
them
People 
participate in 
solving problems 
in their area
No 
discrimination 
based on caste, 
creed, sex, 
education, 
wealth etc.
All can 
participate 
in deciding 
the nation’s 
future.
People 
vote
 them out in
elections
120
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Chapter 5.indd   120 05-07-2025   17:42:12
India is a large, diverse, and complex country. To illustrate, 
the population of eligible voters in India is fifteen times the 
population of the United Kingdom, and in terms of area, India is 
six times larger than France. Geographic diversity is a challenge, 
too. Thus, elections in India need to be organised taking this 
complexity into account.
The Election Commission of India organises elections in India. 
(We will learn more about ECI later in the chapter.) The ECI 
has taken several innovative accessibility measures to remove 
barriers to exercising the franchise and ensure no voter is left 
behind.
Electoral officials travel to remote locations to ensure every 
citizen can exercise their democratic right. In 2024, for the first 
time, the elderly and people with disabilities could cast their 
votes from home, and the postal voting option was available for 
a specific category of voters. Assistive technologies like braille-
enabled voter cards and app-based requests for assistance, 
including wheelchairs and ramps, were also made possible.  
LET’S EXPLORE
Æ Discuss in groups — What role do such measures play in a 
democracy? Do you know of anyone who benefited from 
these improved accessibility measures? How might they 
increase voter participation in your neighbourhood? How 
can technology assist?  
Æ If you have access to the 
internet, visit the ECI 
website (https://www.
eci.gov.in/persons-with-
disabilities). Read and 
identify the various 
interventions that the 
ECI has taken to facilitate 
voting by people with 
disabilities.  
Fig. 5.5.
121
Governance and Democracy
5 – Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
Chapter 5.indd   121 05-07-2025   17:42:12