Merits and Demerits of Universal Adult Suffrage

Suffrage (franchise, right to vote, voting rights), in representative government, is the right to vote in electing public officials and adopting or rejecting proposed legislation. Universal suffrage refers to the rights of all qualified adults to vote and be voted for. There are some arguments for and against universal adult franchise:

Merits of Universal Adult Suffrage

The following are the arguments in support of universal adult suffrage:

1. One of the merits of universal adult suffrage is the fact that it is based on political equality. The system is truly democratic as it gives political equality to all the citizens irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, religion or property.
2. Adult franchise spreads the message that all the citizens are equal and no one is privileged. This promotes national unity.
3. Universal adult suffrage also protects the interest of the minority groups in a country since it allows even the ordinary person in the streets to participate in the electoral process of their country.
4. The system rouses political awakening among all the citizens. They are in a position to safeguard their rights and freedoms. This develops a sense of responsibility among them.

Demerits of Universal Adult Suffrage

The following are the arguments that are against universal adult suffrage:

1. One of the illiterate persons might not be able to exercise their right to vote properly. There are complex issues at stake during elections that must be properly explained to the electorates. It is argued that the illiterate members of the society may not be able to understand the complex national issues that are being peddled by the political parties.
2. Another argument against universal adult suffrage is that it is too expensive. Elections in themselves are expensive to conduct. Now where universal adult suffrage is adopted, then every eligible voter is expected to vote. Large-scale arrangements have to be made for elections.
3. Poorer people are liable to sell their votes. In the poorer parts of the world where democracy seems to be operating, it is easy for politicians and their agents to convince the poor of the society to sell their votes.
4. In some countries, people vote not because they understand any of the national issues but because of the dominance of a particular party in the constituency. This could lead to electing incompetent people into power.