Suffrage /Franchise

Government SSS 1 Third Term

WEEK 9

Suffrage /Franchise

Performance Objectives

Student should be able to know:

 i. Meaning of suffrage /franchise.

 ii. Development of suffrage /franchise.

 iii. Types of suffrage /franchise.

iv. Purpose of suffrage /franchise

Meaning of Suffrage

The term suffrage in a simple way, is the right or chance to vote, express an opinion or participate in a decision.

Historical Development of Suffrage

The word suffrage comes from Latin suffraghim which initially meant "a voting -tablet", "a ballot", "a vote", or "the right to vote ". In November 1775, the New Hampshire Provincial Congress, which took over after the collapse of British control, granted the right to vote to "every male inhabitant of twenty-one years and upwards paying for himself a poll tax". This was the first future state to end freehold qualifications for voting.

Types of Suffrage/Franchise

1. Adult Suffrage: This involves the voting of adult (men and women), that have the necessary qualification.

2. Male Suffrage: This is a system where only adult males can vote.

3. Tax-Payers suffrage: This involves those who have been paying their taxes constantly.

4. Property suffrage: This engages people with enormous assets and wealth in voting.

Purpose of Suffrage/Franchise                   

1. It enables political participation

2. It place value on citizen's decision

3. It also enables citizens to choose representatives

4. Franchise serves the purpose involvement of the citizen's in popular elections. ​​​​​​​