India was the first country in South East Asia that decided to have a democratic form of government soon after the independence. The first general elections were conducted in the year 1951 with Universal Adult Franchise. India was the first ever country to grant voting rights to women without any discrimination. India has the largest number of elected persons in the world, thanks to the Panchayati Raj system across the country. 

Source: https://youthincmag.com/the-history-of-free-india