Should Voting Be Made Compulsory for Every Citizen of India?

One has a right to vote but, until now, no one can be forced to do so. Voting in India is not mandatory. However, the idea of making it compulsory has been the subject of significant discussion and debate over the years.

Historical Attempts to Implement Compulsory Voting

The suggestion to make voting compulsory was first discussed during the debate on the People's Representation Bill in 1951. Dr. B R Ambedkar rejected the proposal on the grounds of practical difficulties. Despite this initial rejection, the idea was revisited by various committees and private members' bills in subsequent years.

Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990)

The Dinesh Goswami Committee briefly examined the issue but similarly concluded that compulsory voting was not feasible due to the practical challenges in implementation.

Private Member's Bills for Compulsory Voting

2004: Mr. Bachi Singh Rawat introduced the Compulsory Voting Bill, which proposed to make voting statutory for every eligible voter, with certain exemptions for reasons such as illness. 2009: JP Agarwal introduced a similar bill with additional provisions for creating convenient polling places and special arrangements for certain demographics. 2015: Janardan Singh moved a private member's bill on compulsory voting.

Voting Pattern in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections

The 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw an overall turnout of 66.38%, which remains the highest in the history of Lok Sabha elections in India. Nagaland recorded the highest turnout (87.82%) while Jammu and Kashmir had the lowest (49.52%). Female participation was higher than male turnout in 16 States and Union Territories (UTs).

Arguments in Favor of Compulsory Voting

Strengthening Democracy: Compulsory voting would ensure a more accurate reflection of the electorate's will in the Parliament, making the elected representatives more accountable. Proactive Political Engagement: Voting would become a more serious and proactive act, with citizens taking a more active role in the democratic process. Economic Benefits: By eliminating the need to spend on voter education and mobilization, the Election Commission could save financial resources.

Arguments Against Compulsory Voting

Practical Difficulties: Many citizens, especially those in rural areas and remote regions, face challenges in reaching polling stations. Non-voters could be disproportionately represented from certain socioeconomic groups. Violation of Fundamental Rights: The right to vote is a statutory right, but the right to not vote is considered a fundamental right of liberty and expression under the Constitution. Increased Costs: Compulsory voting could lead to increased expenditure, particularly if many voters choose the NOTA (None Of The Above) option, which would be an unnecessary expense.

State Government Efforts to Implement Compulsory Voting

Gujarat and Karnataka serve as notable examples of states that have attempted to make voting compulsory. The Gujarat Local Authorities Laws Amendment Act 2009 made voting compulsory for local bodies and introduced a fine for non-compliance, while the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Amendment Act 2015 made voting obligatory for gram panchayat elections.

Challenges and Criticisms

The Gujarat law was challenged in court and has since faced criticism from constitutional experts, who deemed it impractical and infringing on individual liberty. Contrary to expectations, voter turnout in Karnataka did not increase significantly following the enactment of the new law.

Election Commission's Stance

The Election Commission has firmly stated that the right to vote is not a fundamental right but a statutory right. They argue that compulsory voting would violate the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, as emphasized in their 2015 affidavit. The commission highlights the importance of maintaining a voluntary voting system to respect the freedom of choice.

Compulsory Voting in Other Countries

Several countries have made voting compulsory, including Belgium (1892), Argentina (1914), and Australia (1924). However, some of these countries have since repealed such laws, citing the complexities and costs involved.

While compelling arguments both for and against compulsory voting exist, the pragmatic challenges and the constitutional rights of individuals remain the primary considerations.