AAP's Raghav Chadha Advocates Lowering Election Age to 21

AAP MP Raghav Chadha urges the Indian government to lower the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections from 25 to 21 years to incentivize youth participation in mainstream politics, reflecting the country's young demographic.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday made a passionate plea in the Rajya Sabha to lower the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections from 25 to 21 years. Stressing the need to 'incentivize youth so that they enter into mainstream politics,' Chadha highlighted the demographic disconnect between India's youthful population and its aging political representatives.

'We are a young country with old politicians; we must aspire to be a young country with young politicians,' Chadha asserted. The MP argued that if an 18-year-old is eligible to vote, then a 21-year-old should certainly be eligible to run for office. He emphasized that India, as one of the youngest countries globally by average age, deserves a political representation that mirrors this reality.

Chadha pointed out that a declining youth presence is evident in the current Lok Sabha, where only 12% of MPs are under 40, compared to 26% after independence. He cited the stigma associated with politics as a deterrent for the youth and called for measures to make political careers more appealing. Currently, the age criteria for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is 25 years, and 30 for Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council memberships.