Question

Country 'X' consists of 50 lakh people with different religious beliefs and languages, and of different races and ethnicities.

Which of the following measures would be the first step towards ensuring political equality in this nation?

• A. Declaring atheism as the official state policy so as to ensure separation of religion from politics
• B. Declaring all majority languages as state-recognised languages to ensure linguistic representation
• C. Providing free healthcare to all citizens regardless of economic status
• D. Conducting all local, state, and national elections on the basis of universal adult franchise

Answer 1

The correct option is D Conducting all local, state, and national elections on the basis of universal adult franchise

Countries often consist of diverse populations, with a range of socio-religious and ethnic identities. Equality in this context means that every citizen of a democratic country should have equal rights, and no individual is discriminated against based on their identity. To achieve political equality in this instance, all eligible adult citizens must be given a single vote of the same value. Everyone should have access to political institutions, and should have a say in the making of the government.

While providing healthcare and ensuring linguistic representation are important policy decisions, universal adult franchise is the first step towards political equality.