UNIVERSAL ADULT SUFFRAGE - POLITY
News: Somalia to introduce Universal suffrage in 2024
What is in the news?
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Recently, Somalia government and federal member
states said that direct universal suffrage would be introduced with local
elections set for June 2024.
Key takeaways from the news:
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The basic principles
should be that the election of the Federal Somali Republic must be one that
gives the public the opportunity to cast their votes democratically in a
one-person, one-vote system.
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The reform aims to "encourage
the multiparty political system" that is independent and "corruption
free", it added.
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One-person, one-vote
election for both federal and federal member states levels.
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The agreement also calls
for the implementation of a single presidential ticket in which voters would
choose a president and vice-president, effectively quashing the prime minister
post.
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Puntland,
where the first election based on Universal Adult Suffrage was introduced in
Somalia.
About Universal Adult Suffrage:
Definition:
●
Universal Adult Franchise
refers to the principle in democratic systems where every adult citizen,
regardless of gender, caste, religion, or social status, has the right to vote
in elections.
|
Article 325 of the
constitution ensures universal suffrage and provides that no person be
ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special,
electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
Article 326 of Indian
Constitution: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative
Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage. |
Age limit:
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Any one above 18 years of
age has the right to choose their political representatives.
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This age limit was raised
from 21 to 18 years of age through 61st
Constitutional Amendment act.