You are here: Home » National » Voting mandatory in Gujarat local polls
Move aimed at strengthening democracy, says Narendra Modi
Voting mandatory in Gujarat local polls
Gandhinagar, Dec 19, Agencies:
Gujarat on Saturday became the first state in India to make voting compulsory in all local body elections, with Chief Minister Narendra Modi calling it a ''move to strengthen democracy.'' Amid opposition from the Congress, the Assembly passed the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009.
It makes voting compulsory in elections to all seven municipal corporations, 159 municipalities, 26 district panchayats, 223 taluk panchayats and in 13,713 village panchayats of the state. Piloting the bill, Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel said it was aimed at making democracy more representative.
Terming the bill “an epochal move,” Modi said the educated and the intellectual class who often stay away from taking part in grassroots democracy would now have to do so. “It was shocking to see that the large mass of people who had collected to light candles in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai did not come out to vote with the same enthusiasm,” he said.
“Our decision seeks to overturn such a situation to ensure that there is maximum participation of people in (elections).”
All registered voters in Gujarat will be required to vote. Those absent will be asked to submit a valid reason with proof within a month. The Bill empowers the election officer to declare people who do not vote defaulter voters.
They shall have an opportunity to present their case within a month. Exemption will be granted on account of illness, absence from the country or state on polling day and for any other reason prescribed by the state.
Modi said he hoped that other states as well as the country as a whole would follow suit. He contended that making voting compulsory would go a long way in reducing corruption in the electoral process.
“It has been a matter of concern for all of us... and Gujarat has taken the initiative to show the way. With the voters going in large numbers to exercise their franchise, the role of black money is sure to be reduced and democracy will be the ultimate victor,” he said.
“It is a matter of discipline. Should an individual not be apportioning half an hour just once in years to the state? Is that asking for too much?” High percentage
Modi noted that 32 countries had made voting compulsory, leading to the voting percentages shooting up from 45 to over 90 per cent.
“How do you justify a situation wherein 50 per cent vote and with a mere 26 per cent people rule for years while an overwhelming 70 per cent remains unrepresented and without any say? The situation needs to be changed,” he added. Congress legislature party leader Shaktisinh Gohil opposed the Bill saying it was “impractical” and “designed with political motives.”
‘Modi’fied norms
*Gujarat first state in India to make voting compulsory in local body elections
*Voting mandatory in elections to state’s corporations, municipalities and panchayats
*All registered voters in Gujarat will be required to vote
*Those absent will be asked to submit a valid reason with proof within a month
Those who are dissenting the move of Modi will one day realise that he is a true visionary who can think ahead of times to save democracy which has acquired a misnomer today.
THERE IS NEED FOR ENFORCING COMPULSORY VOTING & ALSO MANY REFORMS AS UNDER IN MY OINION:
Our country is in a sort of crisis with the folowing problems:
1. Politicians are not doing their duties of service, sacrifice and patriotism. This is evident from their attitude of changing parties, squabbling creating conflicts and conspiracies.
2. Judiciary is over loaded with cases and even a simple case has toi wait for dcecades and thus common people have lost faith in the judiciary. Besides even some judges themselves have lost faith in judgements and have expressed some judges are corrupt. Hence not only judicial reforms, but massive expansion of judiciary is the need of the hour.
3. Caste, creed and religion is in no way connected with ability to work, loyalty and patriotism. But caste, creed religion is considered as a criterion in giving facilities and promotion also. This gives room for dissatisfaction.
4. Education must be treated as a good good service to the children and students. But is being treated as a trade to extract money without service. Many more lacuna are found in governance. Unless the above anamaly is sorted out country can not prosper economically and stabilised cost of living maintained.
B S GANESH, 22426335
70 / 9, BASAPPA LAYOUT, HANUMANTHNAGAR, BANGALORE 560 019
dear on line editor, Cgief minister Modi isnot promoting democracy but creating a problem with themasses.He should know that thevoters list may show so many names but many will beover seas, on rour and employment.When thast is the fact how can they come for voting?Gew may be sick in hospital and bedriden ,How can they come for vting? Ina house one fellow must have died when that iscase how can he/she come for voting?Hence this is thugtless actionofModi government andthe governer must analyze this legislation and retun it and refuse to sign .DaTED dECENBER 20TH 2009 tIME 0409 hrs ist am
I wonder, how you will you accept a person as your leader, who is elected by your neighbours. Take this positively guys.
"Exemption will be granted on account of illness, absence from the country or state on polling day and for any other reason prescribed by the state." Read the article properly.
as if north indian polydicks are any better or worse than south india douches. they all go to the same school and get the same degree. and now you are forced to vote for monkeys who still hang from trees. gimme a break?
