GK Question

polity medium mcq

Under Article 325-326, the Election Commission prepares electoral rolls for Parliamentary/Assembly elections. Which principle ensures non-discrimination in voter registration?

  1. Universal adult suffrage for citizens aged 18+
  2. Reservation of seats for SC/ST in electoral rolls
  3. Separate electoral rolls for different religions
  4. Weighted voting based on education

Answer: Universal adult suffrage for citizens aged 18+

Electoral roll preparation principles: (a) Article 325: No person ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or any of them - ensures non-discrimination in voter registration, (b) Article 326: Elections to Lok Sabha, State Assemblies on basis of universal adult suffrage: Every citizen aged 18+ years not disqualified under Constitution/law on grounds of non-residence, unsound mind, crime, corrupt/illegal practice, entitled to be registered as voter, (c) Applications: (i) Voter registration: ECI conducts periodic revision of electoral rolls, ensures all eligible citizens enrolled, (ii) Non-discrimination: No separate electorates based on religion, caste; single electoral roll for all citizens in constituency, (iii) Inclusion: Special efforts to enroll marginalized groups (migrants, homeless, disabled) through awareness campaigns, assistance, (d) Challenges: (i) Migration: Ensuring migrants enrolled in current residence, deleted from previous rolls, (ii) Documentation: Poor citizens may lack documents for registration; ECI provides alternative verification, (iii) Awareness: Marginalized groups may not know registration procedures; ECI, civil society conduct awareness campaigns, (e) Illustrates democratic inclusion: Constitutional principles ensure electoral rolls reflect universal adult suffrage, non-discrimination; ECI operationalizes these principles through inclusive registration practices.

Topic Election Commission - Electoral Roll Preparation
Exam Relevance Electoral roll preparation principles frequently asked in UPSC and SSC exams