Article on Compulsory Vote
Link to the Article Published in Economic Times (English, All Editions) on dt 25/12/2009
Another attention-grabbing trick from Modi
THE decision to make voting compulsory in local body elections in Gujarat is yet another gimmick by Narendra Modi. In a democracy, how can anything, even voting be forced? India’s is the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy. Voting is a right and not a duty. Compulsory voting is against Article 14 & 19 of the Indian Constitution.
Choice is a very valuable tenet of democracy. It would be highly undemocratic if the state intrudes in our lives in this manner. Compulsory voting will not increase civil and mass engagement with politics. Are we then going to also have some prescribed punishment for the ‘offenders’? The provisions of this legislation also reflect a bias. For example, anyone travelling abroad can escape compulsory voting by providing documents, but a poor person will have to reply to a notice even if s/he is in the neighbouring district working as a migrant labourer. In short, a Modi or an Advani can be excused but a smalltime farmer or trader cannot. Why such anomalies? Since compulsion and democracy do not go hand in hand, countries like Austria, Venezuela, Netherlands, Spain and Italy have withdrawn such laws. In several countries where compulsory voting exists, it is more in form of an impotent law.
Instead of making voting compulsory for the people of Gujarat, why doesn’t Mr Modi first make safety of the citizens a compulsory thing for the government? What has the government done for the thousands of homeless victims or family members of Muslims killed in the state sponsored genocide? Also, if the Modi government claims that compulsory voting is to increase public participation, why not give more voice to the public by letting their elected representatives articulate their concerns in the assembly? Mr Modi ensures that the Gujarat assembly does not convene a day more than the minimum mandatory stipulation. In a democracy, should books and films be banned just because it hurts a megalomaniac’s ego? That several of his ministers and MLAs including Narendra Modi himself abstained from voting when this Bill was put up for voting is poetic justice. The move is just another attention-grabbing trick from Mr Modi. Like all believers in democracy, we strongly oppose this.
Jaydeepsinh
December 26, 2009 at 4:47 pmWhat are the factors which influences a voter’s choice ? Ideally it should be the desire to change things for the better, to improve the conditions of oneself and those around him. A choice to vote guided by the said desire is perhaps the essence of democracy. To compel a voter to vote from fear of caste, religion, political party whip or sanctions by state is undemocratic. Democracy is the other name of freedom. For an honorable man freedom is the most prized possession. By protecting a man’s freedom we protect his dignity, compassion and virtues. Take away the freedom and he is a suppressed brute ,devoid of love, waiting to pounce back to set himself free. As a poet has said: ” If you love something set it free, if it comes back to you it is yours, if it does not it never was.”
Freedom is the mother of virtues and peace and prosperity follows virtue.
I believe increased participation in the democratic process can be achieved by making our democracy functional and free from fear. To compel a person to vote by fear of punishment is perhaps a few steps backward. Voting can be made a good experience by providing inputs such as: clearly explaining the election manifesto of each candidate, free lunch on voting day, free books on voting booths etc. Voting should be a joy and not a sorrow-a compulsion.
Jadeja Sahadevsinh F
December 28, 2009 at 4:44 pmVoting is tool given to the individuals to use it in democracy in favour or against the goverment, at central, state or local level.
Democracy always give freedom to use the vote by the people to use their right against , for or null.
Goverment educate the people to use vote but to made it compulsory, kill the heart of the democracy.
Lets improve democratic standards to attract people to vote the political parties and political leaders