Can Age To Contest Elections Be Reduced? Raghav Chadda Talks About 'Young Nation With Old Politicians': VIDEO

AAP MP Raghav Chadha proposed lowering the minimum age for contesting elections in India from 25 to 21 years. He cited India's young population and underrepresented youth in politics

Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha (File Image: PTI)

Source : PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday urged the Parliament to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections in India from 25 years to 21 years. Speaking in Rajya Sabha, the AAP MP said India is a "young country with old politicians", but it must aspire to become a "young country with young politicians."

"India is one of the youngest countries in the world. Sixty-five per cent of our population is less than 35 years old. Fifty per cent of our population is less than 25 years old...When the first Lok Sabha was elected after Independence, 26 per cent of members were less than 40 years old and when our 17th Lok Sabha was elected two months ago, only 12 per cent of members were less than 40 years old. We are a young country with old politicians, we must aspire to become a young country with young politicians...I have a suggestion for the Govt of India, that the minimum age for contesting elections should be reduced from 25 years to 21 years," the Rajya Sabha MP said. 

He also shared the video of his speech in the Upper House on X, and wrote, "Today in Parliament I demanded that the minimum age for contesting elections in India be reduced from 25 years to 21 years. Please listen to my heartfelt appeal."

Today in Parliament I demanded that the minimum age for contesting elections in India be reduced 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝟏 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬.

Please listen to my heartfelt appeal pic.twitter.com/qfbLvQJRpV

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) August 1, 2024

In August last year, a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended reducing the age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to 18 years, which is also the minimum age for voting in India.

The idea was, however, contested by the Election Commission of India, which said it was "unrealistic” to expect 18-year-olds to possess the necessary “experience and maturity” for being Members of Parliament and State legislative bodies.

At present, the minimum age for an individual to contest Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is 25 years, while to become a member of the Rajya Sabha or the State Legislative Council, a person should be at least 30 years of age.