Article 326 is a fundamental provision in Part XV (Elections) of the Constitution of India that establishes the principle of universal adult suffrage for elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and the Legislative Assemblies of States. This concept was a revolutionary feature, adopted from the Republic's inception in 1950, rejecting the limited franchise based on property or education that existed under the British rule. The provision was introduced as Draft Article 289B on June 16, 1949, by the Drafting Committee.
The mechanism of Article 326 ensures that every person who is a citizen of India and is not less than eighteen years of age is entitled to be registered as a voter. However, the right to vote is not absolute and a person may be disqualified by law on the grounds of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt or illegal practice. The most significant change to the provision was made by the Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, which lowered the minimum voting age from twenty-one years to eighteen years. The core principle of adult suffrage, however, has remained constant.
This article is closely connected to other electoral provisions, such as Article 325, which mandates a single general electoral roll for every constituency without discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or sex. It is also operationalised by the powers of superintendence, direction, and control over elections vested in the Election Commission under Article 324.