When Rajiv Gandhi lowered the age of voting

It is our former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 75th birth anniversary. On this occasion, we would like to draw your attention towards his many incredible achievements.

Let’s talk about the voting right that he gave to the young people of India, enabling them to vote and be a part of Indian elections at the age of 18.

There are so many interesting things he enlarged, initiated, carried through. One of the most important things he did had to do with giving voting rights to young people at the age of 18.

The Sixty-first Amendment of the Constitution of India, officially known as The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, lowered the voting age of elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of States from 21 years to 18 years. Article 326 of the Constitution, which concerns elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies, was amended under the Rajiv Gandhi government.

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In those days, it was unheard of. This empowered a large number of young people in India because now they could have a say in Indian democracy. He opened up Indian democracy by bringing young people to participate.

Today, India is one of the youngest countries in the world. Our population is young and increasing whereas, in many other countries, the population is ageing and decreasing. India has the workforce for the world. Rajiv Gandhi, in a way, made them responsible and aware of their future responsibilities.

Rajiv Gandhi’s main contribution for the young was to give them a voice by giving them the Right To Vote in Indian democracy at the age of 18.