It is sometimes said that 'economic equality' should precede 'political equality'. What does it mean?

Economic Equality means equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. And Political equality means no person should be excluded from the electoral rolls on the basis of caste, religion, race or sex, and elections to the Lok Sabha must be held through Universal Adult Franchise.

The statement, “'economic equality' should precede 'political equality” means that ensuring economic equality in the Society is more important than political equality.

By providing economic equality in the nation, the gap between poor and rich is reduced and eliminates poverty, which is the foremost duty of any.

When a poor could not avail the basic necessity of life i.e. food, shelter and clothing, for him political equality is meaningless. For him, the right to vote or getting his name on the electoral rolls is not important or rather meaningless till he is able to fulfil the basic amenities of life.

So, in a country, providing economic equality is more important than political equality.