UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 15th July 2025

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 15th July 2025

Question

Universal adult franchise is a foundational principle of Indian democracy, premised on inclusivity, state responsibility, and the presumption of citizenship. In this context, examine how administrative and procedural changes in the compilation of electoral rolls can impact the realization of this principle. What constitutional safeguards exist to protect the right to vote in India? (10 marks, 150 words) 

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • Universal adult franchise, enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution, guarantees every Indian citizen aged 18 and above the right to vote, making it the cornerstone of India’s electoral democracy. This right is not merely procedural but integral to democratic participation and equal citizenship. However, recent administrative shifts in electoral roll compilation, including the shift of responsibility to individuals and heightened documentation requirements, threaten this foundational promise. 

 

Impact of Electoral Roll Practices on Universal Franchise: 

  • Shift of Onus from State to Citizen:  

  • Traditionally, the Election Commission and its field officers (e.g., BLOs) ensure automatic voter inclusion. New practices require citizens to apply afresh with documentary proof, risking exclusion of the poor, homeless, nomads, and informal sector workers. 

  • E.g. As per ECI data (2019), over 90 lakh eligible voters were missing from rolls in urban areas alone. 

  • Presumption of Citizenship Reversed: 

  • Voter rolls have traditionally presumed residency and adulthood as proxies for citizenship. New rules increasingly require proof of citizenship (e.g., voter lists from 2003), undermining Article 10, which ensures continuity of citizenship. 

  • Discretion and Arbitrariness: 

  • “Indicative lists” of documents without uniform standards enable exclusion based on local official discretion. 

  • E.g. UN Special Rapporteur Report on Minorities (2022) warned against document-based exclusion in electoral processes. 

  • Exclusion of Marginalized Groups:  

  • As per Ornit Shani (How India Became Democratic), India’s voter roll policies have historically included liminal citizens like sex workers, transgender persons, and the homeless. Procedural rigidity risks reversing this inclusive tradition. 

 

Constitutional and Institutional Safeguards:  

  • Article 326: Guarantees adult suffrage irrespective of caste, class, gender, or literacy. 

  • Representation of the People Act, 1950: Assigns responsibility to EROs to include all eligible citizens, not vice versa. 

  • Article 14 and 21: Ensure equality and due process, both of which are undermined by arbitrary deletions or documentation burdens. 

  • Supreme Court Interventions: 

  • PUCL v. Union of India (2003): Voting is a constitutional right and part of the freedom of expression. 

  • People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2013): Strengthened voter choice via NOTA, reaffirming the participatory aspect of democracy. 

  • Krishna Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar (2017): Emphasized constitutional morality in governance, applicable to electoral processes.  

 Way Forward: 

  • Strengthen Voter Inclusion Measures: Enhance door-to-door verification and BLO outreach, as recommended in the Second ARC Report on Ethics in Governance. Use Aadhaar only as optional linkage, in line with Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy (2018) ruling on privacy. 

  • Independent Audits of Electoral Rolls: Suggested by NITI Aayog (2020 discussion paper) to ensure transparency, especially in high-mobility areas. 

  • Legally Binding SOPs for Exclusion: Implement transparent, uniform procedures for name deletion with appellate recourse (as per ECI’s Manual on Electoral Rolls). 

  • Digital Inclusion without Disenfranchisement: Use technology for enrollment tracking, not for exclusion. Booth Level App, Voter Helpline App, and NVSP portal should assist, not replace, human interface. 

 Conclusion:  

  • The right to vote is the bedrock of Indian democracy, and any erosion of its accessibility threatens democratic legitimacy. Procedural innovations must enhance inclusion, not formalize exclusion. Constitutional safeguards, judicial oversight, and inclusive administrative practices are essential to uphold the spirit of universal adult franchise as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.