New Delhi, December 22: Narendra Modi government’s law to make voting compulsory in local body polls in Gujarat has failed to make a cut with the Election Commission which says the extending the idea across the country is “impracticable”.
“Such proposals had come up for discussion in the Commission on many occasions earlier. For India, it is full of difficulties. We also consider that democracy and compulsion do not go hand-in-hand,” Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said.
Pointing out that 40 per cent of the 714 million voters do not vote, he said people not coming out to exercise their franchise was a matter of concern to the Commission.
However, voter education could be a better option to enthuse voters and the Commission is engaged in roping in youth, particularly college and school students, to enhance voter awareness.
“It is a good idea, a noble idea. A welcome move.
–PTI