Parliamentary panel suggests reducing age to contest Lok Sabha, assembly polls

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

parliamentary committee on Friday batted for reducing the minimum age to contest Lok Sabha and assembly elections, saying it would give the youth equal opportunities to engage in democracy. According to the present legal framework, a person should be at least 25 years old to contest Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The minimum age to become a member of Rajya Sabha and state legislative council is 30 years. At present, the age at which a person can register as a voter is 18 years. For 'national elections' or Lok Sabha polls, it specifically recommended reducing the minimum age to contest from the present 25 years to 18. «After examining various countries' practices, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, the Committee observes that the minimum age for candidacy in national elections needs to be 18 years. These nations' examples demonstrate that young individuals can be reliable and responsible political participants,» the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Personnel said.

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It also suggested «reducing the minimum age requirement for candidacy in assembly elections». The panel headed by BJP's Sushil Modi observed that reducing the minimum age requirement for candidacy in elections would give young individuals equal opportunities to engage in democracy. «This viewpoint is reinforced by a vast amount of evidence, such as global practices, the increasing