Compulsory voting bill not practical, says Congress
New Delhi: Congress on Tuesday said that the bill passed by the Gujarat Assembly making voting mandatory in local body polls is "not practical" and it is only through public awareness that voting percentage can be increased.
"It is not practical. This is good as an idea but not easy to implement. It was tried but could not succeed. Public awareness alone can increase voting percentage," the Party general secretary, Mr Digvijay Singh told reporters.
He also felt that compulsory voting will not be feasible for the poor, who migrate out of their towns in search of work as it will not be possible for them to come back and vote.
When asked whether the bill seeking to make voting mandatory is correct, senior party leader and minority affairs minister, Mr Salman Khurshid said, "People should have the independence of taking their own decision in a democracy."
He also said, before making voting compulsory, facilities like near-by polling booths should be provided to the people.
Latest Comments
I agree with Congress assertion that it is not practical in India. First of all 800 million voters of the country don't have their electoral cards which is their right. EC should take neccessary steps in this regard before making voting compulsory. No other democratic country in the world has such a law as in a democracy citizens have their rights and governments cannot force anyone to come out and vote. Government should make a law that all citizens of the country would get food, home, jobs and education and make sure that everyone will get this compulsory first rather enacting a law about voting. A govt or party which can't do justice with their own people have a right to ask compulsory vote.
More from National
Post your comment