Points made by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu on the issue of Compulsory Voting

Points made by Sri M. Venkaiah Naidu, MP & former president, of Bharatiya Janata Party while inaugurating a 24-hour Deeksha undertaken by All Voters India Initiative
at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 29/10/2012

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today inaugurated a Deeksha organised by the All Voters India Initiative (a Movement for Compulsory Voting System) who came all the way from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh to undertake a 24-hour Deeksha to highlight the need for making voting compulsory.

Shri Naidu said that vote is not only a right but also a basic responsibility.  He said that he is personally in favour of making voting compulsory but before taking such a step there should be national debate on this issue.

Shri Naidu opined that rights and duties should co-exist.  He felt voting should be made a fundamental responsibility to ensure an honest administration.  Shri Naidu said that compulsory voting will not only strengthen democracy but also makes it more meaningful and reflects the real majority opinion.  He said with concern that in our country voting percentage is going down even below 50%.  In such a situation, a winning candidate gets 50% of the votes polled, which does not really reflect the real meaning of democracy.

Shri Naidu said that higher level participation in elections reduce the threat of instability.  He said compulsory voting acts as a sort of civil education and political stimulation.  He also said that it is not an impossible task if there is a consensus in the country.  People have to be educated about their responsibility.

Shri Naidu said that countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Congo, Equador, Luxemberg, Peru, Singapore, Uruguay and some provinces in Switzerland, which made voting compulsory and enforce it.  He also said that countries like Belgium, Bolivia, Costarica, Greece, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Panama, have the laws but they do not force it.  He said that in India educated voters turn out in less numbers than the other ranks of society which is disturbing.

Shri Naidu felt that quality of Indian democracy needs to be changed.  One of way of achieving this objective is making voting compulsory.  He called upon the Election Commission to take initiative and call a meeting of all political parties to discuss this issue.  He also opined that there should be incentives incentives and disincentives for people to exercise their franchise.  He said that Gujarat Government has introduced this measure for local bodies but yet to be implemented because of not getting assent to it by the Governor of the State.  Shri Naidu said that it is not a political issue but it is a larger issue concerning the democracy and there is a need for national debate to evolve consensus on it.

Shri Naidu complimented Shri P. Vijaya Babu, Convenor of All Voters India Initiative and his young team who have travelled all the way from Andhra Pradesh to observe a 24-hour Deeksha to focus national attention on this important issue.

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