What are the benefits of the universal adult franchise as compared to the selective franchise?

Universal Adult Franchise means that all the adults, i.e. people above 18 years of age can participate in the election or have the right to vote.

The reasons for the existence of Universal adult franchise are:

• The Indian Constitution adopts universal adult franchise as a basis of election to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

• It is important as it makes the democracy stronger and grants prestige and self-respect to the common people.

• It upholds equality and enables minorities to protect their interests.

On the contrary, in the Selective franchise, not everyone gets the right to vote.

4. Example: Women do not have the right to cast a vote in Saudi Arabia.

5. In Estonia, the Russian minority is not able to cast a vote due to its citizenship rule.

6. In Fiji, the Indian Fijians votes are of lesser value than the indigenous Fijians.