In democratic country like India, voting is necessary for healthy democracy, but unfortunately, here people often avoid to caste their votes. In their eyes, voting is useless process, because they can't change the system. However, in reality this is not t
MANDATORY VOTING is necessary for healthy democracy. In democratic country like India, voting is necessary for healthy democracy, but unfortunately, here people often avoid to caste their votes. In their eyes, voting is a useless process, because they can?t change the system. However, in reality this is not the true picture of present state of affairs. By the help of our precious vote, we can bring positive & constructive change in every nook and corner.
Keeping this fact in view, Gujarat assembly has passed Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009. As per this bill, now casting a vote in local body polls would be mandatory. Gujarat assembly passed this landmark bill on 19.12.2009. This bill also seeks to raise the reservation of seats for women in local self governance bodies from 33 to 50 per cent, was passed by voice vote. The opposition, led by Congress, opposed the mandatory voting provision, terming it in contradiction with the constitutional provisions but supported raising of seats for women in the local bodies from 33% to 50%. The opposition had demanded separate bills for 50% reservation for women and for mandatory voting in local self governance bodies. Under the bill, if a voter fails to vote for the reasons other than prescribed in the rules, he may be declared a "defaulter voter" and would face consequences for which rules will be framed and placed before the assembly for its approval later. It is observed that due to low turnout of voters to discharge their duty by exercising their right to vote, the true spirit of the will of the people is not reflected in the electoral mandate.Hence, this bill may prove harbinger of society. After success of this bill, similar bills should pass at all level of democracy.