Part XV - Elections • Article

Article 326 Simplified: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage

Article 326 is the source of your Political Power. It guarantees that every Indian citizen, once they turn 18, has an absolute right to vote. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, what your caste is, or which religion you follow—on election day, every citizen's thumbprint carries the same weight. It is the greatest equalizer in our society.

Official Text

The elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage; that is to say, every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than [eighteen years] of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

The day you turn 18 and get registered, you have the right to vote in major elections. Nobody can stop you because you are poor, uneducated, or belong to a certain group.

Student Mode

Enshrines the principle of Universal Adult Suffrage. It declares that elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies shall be based on adult suffrage, meaning every Indian citizen who is at least 18 years of age is entitled to register as a voter. Disqualifications are strictly restricted to grounds of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt/illegal practices as defined by law.

Example

On election day, a billionaire and a daily-wage worker stand in the same line at the polling booth, and both get exactly ONE vote. This radical equality comes directly from Article 326.

Key Takeaway

Your vote is your voice—Article 326 ensures you have the power to choose your leaders.

FAQs

Was the voting age always 18 in India?

No. Originally, the Constitution set the voting age at 21. It was lowered to 18 by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988, which came into effect in March 1989.

Is the right to vote a Fundamental Right?

No. The right to vote is a constitutional right (specifically under Article 326) and a statutory right under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. It is not listed under Part III (Fundamental Rights), though it is a core democratic right.

On what grounds can a citizen be disqualified from voting?

Under Article 326, a person can be disqualified from voting by law on the grounds of: (1) non-residence, (2) unsoundness of mind, (3) conviction of certain crimes, or (4) corrupt or illegal electoral practices.

Quiz

Which Constitutional Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18?

Answer: 61st Amendment

The right to vote in India is a:

Answer: Constitutional Right

Which of the following is a valid ground for disqualifying a person from registering as a voter under Article 326?

Answer: Unsoundness of mind