Telangana CM Proposes Lowering Contest Age to 21
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has called for reducing the minimum age to contest Assembly and Parliament elections from 25 to 21. He plans to move a resolution in the Telangana Assembly to press for this change in Parliament.
Background
Currently, Article 84(b) of the Constitution requires a person to be at least 25 years old to contest Lok Sabha elections, and Article 173(b) sets the same age for state legislative assemblies. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment Act, 1988.
Key facts
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy proposes lowering the minimum age to contest elections from 25 to 21.
He will move a resolution in the Telangana Assembly to raise the issue in Parliament.
The proposal applies to both Assembly and Parliament elections.
Currently, Articles 84(b) and 173(b) set the minimum age at 25.
The voting age is 18 after the 61st Amendment (1988).
Any change requires a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament.
Prelims pointers
- Article 84(b): Qualification for Lok Sabha membership - minimum age 25.
- Article 173(b): Qualification for state legislature membership - minimum age 25.
- 61st Amendment Act, 1988: Reduced voting age from 21 to 18.
- Constitutional amendment requires special majority in Parliament.
Mains angles
- Discuss the rationale behind lowering the contest age and its implications for youth representation.
- Critically examine the constitutional process required to amend Articles 84(b) and 173(b).
- Compare with voting age reduction: arguments for and against lowering contest age.