New Delhi, April 30: Law Minister M Veerappa Moily today said the India needs to graduate to a level where everyone casts vote and nurture democracy.
“In an ideal situation voting could be made compulsory,” he said replying to a debate on a Private Member’s Bill on Compulsory Voting moved by Congress member Jai Prakash Agarwal.
“Everyone should contribute and nurture the largest democracy” he said in his reply which remained inconclusive.
Earlier participating in debate members from all sides supported the idea of compulsory voting.
Opposition parties said government must provide adequate facilities to encourage voters to exercise their franchise.
Gorakhnath Pandey (BSP) said people should be penalised not casting their votes. The penalty could be a fine of Rs 500 or confiscation of ration card.
Viney Kumar (Cong) regretted that the government has not not able to prepare proper electoral rolls.
–Agencies