Gandhinagar: Gujarat has become the first state in the country where voters will have to compulsorily exercise their franchise in local body polls with new governor O.P. Kohli clearing the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws Bill, passed earlier by the state government under Narendra Modi, but was opposed by ex-governor Dr Kamla. The Bill also provides for 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.
“The governor of Gujarat has signed the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws bill and gave sanction for its implementation to the state government,” state assembly secretary D.M. Patel said on Sunday. As per the Bill, any person who fails to vote during local body polls, is liable for “punishment and will be penalised,” though it did not explain the exact nature of action.
The Bill had faced a stiff resistance from the former governor who argued the provision of compulsory voting is violation of the Constitution.
