Question Q6GS2GS2
Right to vote, provided by constitution under Art 326: universal adult franchise is the founding stone of democracy in India.
Main Body
Position of undertrials:
They're not provided right to vote while they're lodged in prison.
Undertrial can contest elections from jail (by) Amipal Singh won in 2024 elections from jail.
How this is flawed:
1Violated right to Equality of undertrials. [Art 14]
2Deprives them of right to vote, restricting their democratic participation
3With "jail, not bail" being the norm, the quantum of undertrials in prisons renders lakhs of people disenfranchised. [Prison Statistics 2022 Report - 131% occupancy rates in prison]
4Disproportionately having disadvantaged section (by) Above Report data - 23,309 of undertrials are SC, STs & OBCs.
5They're punished for the fault of system - delays in trial, lack of bail, lack of legal aid.
However, court has provided the flip side as well:
Conducting elections in prisons can be logistical nightmare.
Huge personnel mobilization required.
142 words4 paragraphs2 bullet points
Conclusion
Thus, currently the issue is sub-judice in court. Innovative ways like postal ballot can provide the balanced way out.
19 words
Topper
Ishita Sharma
AIR 2682025
Subject & Paper
GS2GS2
Topic
Salient Features of the Representation of People's Act
Elections
Right to vote and universal adult franchise
Writing Stats
161
Total words
4
Paragraphs
2
Bullets
expository
Tone