JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav on Thursday strongly condemned the Gujarat Government’s move to make voting compulsory, terming it as “undemocratic and infringement” on the liberty of the citizen. Yadav said Parliament should take note of this and prevent it from happening, and such experiments with democracy should stop.
Voicing his opposition to the Gujarat Government’s move, Yadav said this was not practical in the country. “I oppose this move strongly as this is not practical in our country,” he said. Gujarat has moved a Bill seeking compulsory voting in local body elections after getting the Governor’s approval.
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. Yadav accused the State Government of diverting public attention from the real issues.
Making a comparison with other countries where such a law exists, he said, “Comparing our country with other countries around 20 where compulsory voting is there will not be justified due to demographic conditions in our country.”
Seeking Election Commission’s intervention, Yadav said, “I am sure our EC will further take a note of that under any circumstances compulsory voting shall not be agreed to in our country.”