Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
This concept is fundamental to understanding the democratic framework of India, the scope of fundamental rights, the role of the judiciary in interpreting the Constitution, and the evolution of electoral law. It touches upon the basic structure doctrine and the balance between parliamentary power and individual rights, making it crucial for GS2.
In India, the legal status of the right to vote has been a subject of extensive judicial debate. Traditionally held as a statutory right derived from legislation like the Representation of the People Acts, recent Supreme Court judgments have increasingly recognized various facets of voting as fundamental rights, leading to a constitutional anomaly.