Right to vote for all adult citizens regardless of status
Explanation
Universal Adult Franchise is a fundamental democratic principle adopted by the Constitution of India (Article 326). It ensures political equality by granting the right to vote to all adult citizens without discrimination based on socio-economic factors.
Option Analysis:
- Right to vote for all educated citizens is Incorrect: Restricting voting rights to educated citizens creates an exclusionary system based on literacy. Universal Adult Franchise specifically rejects educational qualifications as a prerequisite for voting.
- Right to vote for all property owners is Incorrect: Property ownership was a criterion for voting rights under colonial legislation, such as the Government of India Act, 1935. The Indian Constitution abolished this, ensuring that wealth is not a barrier to political participation.
- Right to vote for all adult citizens regardless of status is Correct: Universal Adult Franchise implies that every citizen who has attained a specific age (18 years in India, reduced from 21 by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988) has the right to vote. This right is granted regardless of caste, creed, religion, sex, literacy, wealth, or social status.
- Right to vote for all taxpayers is Incorrect: Taxpayer status is not a condition for voting in a system based on universal franchise. Linking voting rights to taxation would disenfranchise the poor and violate the principle of equality.
Key Takeaway:
Universal Adult Franchise upholds the democratic tenet of "one person, one vote," ensuring that sovereignty resides with the people as a whole, irrespective of their social or economic standing.