Section 27: Section 27 – Preparation of Electoral Roll for Graduates and Teachers Constituencies

Overview

Section 27 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, focuses on creating the voter lists (electoral rolls) for special constituencies within Legislative Councils – specifically, the constituencies reserved for Graduates and Teachers. Unlike general elections where any adult citizen can vote, these constituencies have specific educational and professional requirements for voter registration.

Key Provisions

• Voter Qualification for Graduates' Constituency: To be eligible to vote in a Graduates' Constituency, a person must be a graduate of a recognized university or equivalent, and have completed at least three years of graduation.
• Voter Qualification for Teachers' Constituency: To be eligible to vote in a Teachers' Constituency, a person must be engaged in teaching at a recognized educational institution for at least three years.
• Preparation of Rolls: The section details the process for preparing these specialized electoral rolls, which differs from the standard process for general constituencies. It emphasizes verifying the educational/professional qualifications of potential voters.
• No Universal Suffrage: Unlike general constituencies, these constituencies do *not* operate on the principle of universal suffrage (one person, one vote). Voting is restricted to those meeting the specified criteria.

Impact on Voters and Electoral Rolls

Section 27 significantly impacts who can participate in elections for these Council constituencies. It creates a more specialized electorate, representing the interests of the graduate and teacher communities. The electoral rolls for these constituencies are therefore smaller and require a more rigorous verification process than general voter lists. This section ensures that only qualified individuals – those with a demonstrated commitment to education or professional practice – can influence the representation of these groups in the Legislative Council.

Practical Examples

• Example 1: A person who completed their Bachelor's degree in 2021 and has been working as a software engineer since then is eligible to register as a voter in the Graduates' Constituency in 2024, as they have completed three years since graduation.
• Example 2: A retired school teacher who taught for 35 years is eligible to vote in the Teachers' Constituency. However, a person with a PhD but currently working as a marketing professional would *not* be eligible for the Teachers' Constituency, even though they are a graduate. They *could* be eligible for the Graduates' Constituency.

Related Sections / Rules

This section works closely with Section 26 of the RPA 1950, which deals with the delimitation of these constituencies. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1962, particularly those relating to claims and objections for inclusion in electoral rolls, are also crucial for the practical implementation of Section 27. Specifically, Rule 24 to 30 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1962 provide detailed procedures for preparing electoral rolls for special constituencies.