The principle of Universal Adult Suffrage has now received a universal acceptance and is implemented in all states which are democratic. This principle stands for the grant of right to vote/franchise or suffrage to all adult citizens, both men and women, without any discrimination. Only minimum age qualification is fixed. Usually all men women of 18 or 20 or 2 T years or above are given the right to vote. In India all the men as well as women who are adults i.e. who are 18 years or above of age, have right to vote. So is the case in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and in fact all democratic polities. In India, UK, USA, Russia the right to vote has been given to all citizens of 18 years or above of age.
Further, while no property, sex, and educational qualifications are now fixed for the right to vote, it is a universal practice to deny this right to minors, criminals, bankrupts, mentally unsound people and other persons who earn disqualification for one reason or the other. Minors are denied the right to vote till they attain adulthood i.e. when they cross the legally fixed voting age, as, for example, in India ,they attain the age of 18 years, they get the franchise.
The importance of Universal Adult Suffrage is that it is perfectly democratic, symbolizes the equality of all and assures faith in the ability of the people to elect their rulers i.e. representatives. It is a means for asserting the sovereignty of the people, which is the real basis of the authority of state and its govt. Right to vote acts as a source of strength and confidence for the people. It inculcates in them ‘ a sense of responsibility and participation in the political system.
Without suffrage i.e. without the people enjoying the freedom to vote for electing their representatives, there can be no democratic system. Without a system of elections there can be no democracy and the right to vote and without an electorate, there can be no elections. Right to suffrage constitutes the backbone of every modem democratic system. In a democracy, people are sovereign. They hold the supreme power.
