Punjab parties also want voting made mandatory - Applaud Gujarat for passing law in this regard
Tuesday, 11/11/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141111/punjab.htm#18
Chandigarh : Most parties in the state have appreciated the Gujarat legislation to make voting in the municipal elections mandatory. The president of the People’s Party of Punjab, Manpreet Singh Badal, said that voting should be made mandatory for all statutory bodies such as the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. Gujarat is the first state in the country to pass such a law.
Manpreet said there should be other electoral reforms too. For instance, Assembly elections should be held under the supervision of a caretaker government to prevent misuse of official machinery and government resources. “In Pakistan, elections are conducted under a caretaker government comprising persons of high integrity, credibility and political neutrality,” Manpreet pointed out. He said that Punjab should follow the Gujarat pattern and make voting for the coming municipal elections mandatory.
Former Deputy Speaker and Congress leader Bir Devinder Singh said Parliament should pass a law making voting mandatory. He suggested that certain entitlements should be linked with voting. “Not taking part in elections should be treated as an act against the democratic system,” he said.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and eminent advocate HS Phoolka said: “A provision should be made to help voters cast their ballot even if they are away from their polling booths.”
He said amendments needed to be made in the Representation of the People Act,1950, if voting was to be made must for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
