Raghav Chadha Calls for Lowering Election Age to 21 to Boost Youth Participation

New Delhi August 1, 2024:  Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has proposed reducing the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections from 25 to 21 years. In a passionate appeal to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Chadha argued that this change would encourage greater youth involvement in politics, reflecting India’s youthful demographic.

Chadha highlighted the disparity between India’s young population and its predominantly older political representatives. He stated, “We are a young country with older politicians; we should aim to be a young country with younger politicians.” He reasoned that if 18-year-olds are allowed to vote, 21-year-olds should be eligible to run for office, aligning the eligibility age more closely with the voting age.

Chadha also noted the declining presence of younger individuals in the current Lok Sabha, where only 12% of MPs are under 40, compared to 26% shortly after independence. He suggested that the negative perceptions of politics deter many young people from pursuing political careers and called for reforms to make the field more appealing.

At present, the age requirement to contest Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is 25 years, while it is 30 years for Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council positions. Chadha’s proposal seeks to make the political system more inclusive of younger candidates, thereby fostering a more representative and dynamic political landscape in India.