The core of political democracy lies in the basic axiom of electoral democracy which is based on

The core of political democracy and the basic axiom of electoral democracy is the principle of universal adult franchise. This principle ensures that every adult citizen, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender, possesses the right to vote, with each vote carrying equal value [4]. It is described as the 'cornerstone' of democracy, facilitating the participation of all eligible voters in choosing their representatives [2]. While fundamental rights like freedom of speech and equality are essential protected features within a democratic framework, the specific mechanism that defines an 'electoral' democracy is the universal suffrage that grants legitimacy to the government [2]. Historically, the struggle for democracy was intrinsically linked to the demand for this franchise, which has now become a globally accepted standard for democratic regimes [4]. In the Indian context, the Constitution makers adopted this axiom from the outset to ensure political equality [3].

Sources

1. [3] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System > Universal Adult Franchise > p. 118
2. [4] Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY? > One person, one person, one person, one vote, one value one value one value. > p. 6
3. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System > Before we move on… > p. 137
4. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 9: From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments > Fundamental principles of democracy > p. 192