COMPULSORY VOTING – AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME
The first non Congress Government formed in New Delhi was the result of people’s anger against the 1975 emergency. In this government, headed by Shri Morarji Desai, I had my first experience of Government.The Prime Minister asked me whether I had any personal preference in the matter of portfolio. My response was unhesitating : Information and Broadcasting.
Three factors prompted me to make this choice. As a journalist I was familiar with the media. My opinion was that the maximum damage caused to democracy during the emergency was because of curbs imposed on the media and on media men. Thirdly, for long, I had been pleading that the Government stranglehold on Akashwani must be smashed, and autonomy be conferred on it.
As I and B Minister I came across the script of a feature broadcast by the BBC which I found of great interest in the course of my campaigning for electoral reforms. The programme was a serial on the functioning of British Parliament over the centuries. In these papers, I read about a remarkable incident that occurred in eighteenth century Britain.
A member of the House of Commons received a letter from his constituents in which he was asked to vote against certain excise proposals in the Budget. According to the BBC feature, the M.P. sent a stinging reply to his voters as follows :
“Gentlemen, I have received your letter about the excise, and I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all.
“You know, and I know, that I bought this constituency.
“You know, and I know, that I am now determined to sell it.
“And you know what you think I don’t know, that you are looking for another buyer.
“And I know what you certainly don’t know, that I have found another constituency to buy.”
Buying and selling of parliamentary constituencies in Britain was no exception then. It was the rule, Very often seats were publicly auctioned – and either sold outright or leased out on an annual basis : A parliamentary publication, Our Parliament, by Strathearn Gordon notes :
“Between 1812 and 1832, ￡5000 to ￡6000 was the ordinary price of a seat ‘purchased’ for Parliament or ￡1800 if ‘rented’ for a year.”
But today, elections in Britain are by and large clean, The history of electoral reforms in Britain should help dispel the general cynicism prevalent in India that there is no real remedy for the growing influence of money power in elections or that, as our communist friends are inclined to assert, in a ‘ bourgeois democracy’ this is inevitable.
***
If a survey is taken of the comparative percentage of voting in different sectors of the society, classified education wise, I have little doubt that voting percentage among the graduates, the post graduates, and those in the still higher categories, would be far, far lower than at the lower rungs of society.
Is this not a situation that is bound to affect the quality of Indian democracy adversely ? Can this be changed ?
I feel it can be. One simple way is the innovative measure adopted by Narendra Bhai Modi – compulsory voting. Gujarat has introduced this measure for all local body elections. The Law has been passed by the state Assembly, but it is still to be implemented. The rules etc. are still being worked out.
Not many may be aware that as many as 25 countries inhabited by more than 700 million people today have compulsory voting even for their parliamentary election. These countries include Australia, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand and Singapore. I feel political thinkers in India also must apply their mind to this.
I have seen a lot of literature these days on the functioning of democracies. In these writings, concern is being expressed about the fact that in some of the important democracies of the world like Canada, UK, and France, voter turn out has been gradually declining, Compulsory voting, it is being increasingly felt, may be a remedy.
L.K. Advani
New Delhi
March 07, 2010
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March 8th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Dear Advaniji,
I am almost in agreement with the Idea of compulsory voting since it seems to the only way to check the declining voting graphs, but have some doubts about it too.
Firstly, in a hugely populated country like India still facing information constraints in large areas, would it possible to effectively implement this measure ? Secondly, what could be the most amicable way of dealing with defaulters ? Since without such a way it would be difficult to enforce the voter or even induce him to vote. Kindly shed some light over these issue if possible.
Suggestion : Advaniji if you ( and the BJP ) want to actively advocate for this measure, you need to make sure that BJP supports the UID project headed by Mr. Nandan Nilekani since for the implementation of such a grand exercise such as compulsory voting, UID is very essential to prepare a roadmap for it. I am saying this because I heard Shri Murli Manohar Joshi ji opposing UID in his speech over response to president’s address.
Thank You
March 8th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Dear Sir,
I like all your views posted here under various topics. The blog is the only source where people like me, who are living outside India, can get chance to read you/ hear from you. Some day, I would like to read your views on what Image you see in future of India? And what you think is the major concern today for the future of a developed and strong India.
Thanks again..!!
Jai Bharat!
March 8th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Dear Advani ji,
As already mentioned by Kunal, to my mind, logistics of dealing with defaulters would really be a nightmare. I don’t think we can develop a democratic mechanism to force people to vote.
On many occasions, views have been expressed that the ballot paper should have a column which says: none of the above. This could be one of the measures to ensure that only the right candidates gets elected.
The second measure could be to disqualify a candidate who does not secure atleast 51% votes in total tally of the constituency.
I strongly believe that we urgently need wide ranging discussions in the civil society on electoral reforms. The peoples of this country can not allow a handful of Members of Parliament who support a minority government to decide the future policies which have long lasting impact - like it was with UPA-I.
And, ofcourse, your campaign against the electronic voting machine must gather momentum. We know it well - how these machines can be tempered
March 9th, 2010 at 9:20 am
I agree with Advani ji that to ensure benefits of democracy for all, we must involve all Indians specially women & backwards in the electoral process. It is time we made voting compulsory.
But before we make it compulsory, we need to ensure how we do that without causing any financial loss to people who are voters in Tamil Nadu but work and make living, say, in Chandigarh.
Yet I feel like Kunal above that Compulsory Voting Can Be Achieved Only When We Use Some Kind Of Integrated Electronic Voting System under which all citizens have a registration number and they can use it to vote from any where in India or through Indian Embassies abroad.
But would this be acceptable to some people who have an obsession to doubt credibility of all good things including Electronic Voting Machines and the Election Commission of India.
PRAVEEN SHANKAR KAPOOR
Delhi.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
I completely agree with your viewpoint. In fact, those who argue that we can not thrust mandatory voting on citizens saying that there should not be any force in democracy, need to think for themselves. In a way if you think, all reservations and quota systems are not democratic either ! Those are also thrust on people by force and not by merit
March 10th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Kunal
“I heard Shri Murli Manohar Joshi ji opposing UID in his speech over response to president’s address. ”
I think you have not heard complete speech what Mr. Joshi delivered, he was stressing to ignore all those who are illegal Bangladeshi migrant. These people today has get ration card, election card in states like WB and many more in North East.
Of course, they need to be filtered out as our own people are suffering for not having two-time food and proper shelter to live under.
We cant afford our tax money for illegal migrants.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Sir,
Please remove restriction of word count from your blog, so that at least I can write my ideas and grievances on your blog without hesitating. Similar restriction was there on Modiji’s blog also later so many people kept requesting for removal of word count now it has unlimited permission.
Just see once it is permitted you can find long long stories on your blog which will not be less than a novel that people write.
If you have ideas to share and if you wish to write something for a wider audience [including Sri Advani ji], please write on his forum at http://www.lkadvani.in. There are no word restrictions there. - Blog editor
March 10th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Respected Sir,
I agree what you said on compulsory voting. But this is not an easy task to implement. Modiji did in gujarat because he sincerely thinks of the welfare of his state. But all states are not like this. If you consider tamilnadu it ll be impossible as for each vote there is a rate (votes on sale).
But for the real development of India this should be implement and I hope this will be done by a BJP government.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Advaniji ! To vote, I must have a vote. Is it not ?
For the last fifity years ( I am 68 years old), I have rarely voted. Since I never had a vote except for a single instance. I do not know why one’s name gets deleted when one continues in the same station. Last time, I did get a slip , but the gender was given Female.
Every election, whether it is municipal, assembly or Parliament, lakhs of voters are included and the same some other lakhs of voters are deleted. You may just listen to allegations levelled against one another before the Election Commissioner in Tamil Nadu regarding inclusion/deletion of voters.
Unless an unique id is given to every citizen which must also be a prerequisite for a voter, it is almost impossible to have a fool proof voting list. And on the basis of this highly defective voters’ list, how do you expect compulsory voting to take place at all !!!
March 10th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
As you rightly mentioned, low percentage polling is adversely affecting our democracy. Bad politicians are elected by good citizens who do not vote; this should chage and compulsary voting is a good solution. Electoral reforms in India are possible and the need of hour; all it needs is the will to do it.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Mr. Jay Kumar , I heard the complete speech with both my ears and mind open. Yes he did mention about the illegal Bangladeshi migrants and the problems related to them at the time of elections and otherwise. But much before that he criticized the exercise of reducing the people of India to mere numbers. He was obviously referring to the UID project undertaked by the UPA-2. Now that criticism is totally uncalled for since its really a progressive idea that can help the notion of compulsory voting significantly alongwith other huge benifits.
Illegal Bangladeshi migrants is indeed a major problem but it will persist unless tough measures are not undertaken to stop it outright, irrespective of UID or not. So maybe you wrongly clubbing these two issues. However I am sure Advanji and other senior leaders of BJP must be in favor of this project since I have not heard any criticism from them till date. I hope its just a personal opinion of Shri Joshi ji.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:42 am
To save our democracy, this is a only hope.
But why can you not say in simple and strong word as I favor compulsory voting. Just please pass your message in simple, strong and short words.
Thanks
March 11th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Sir,
“33% Women Quota in Parliament and state assembly”
Post independence it will be most unwanted bill passed by our leaders. Already country reeling under so many quotas, was there a need for one more quotas in the form of women quota in parliament? It seems only NGO’s and Human right activist, media persons are sympathetic toward this bill but professionally employed citizens completely rejects and unwelcome this bill.
I saw debate congress leader Mrs. Renuka Chaudhary defending bahu-behti’s entry into politics, she was just arguing that what is wrong in that if they come into politics?
I heard from someone in Chennai that Mrs. Jaynathi Natrajan has her own engineering college, so what she wants to open one more college providing 33% quota?
At least have proper debate on this concept of rotating the constituency in every 15 years. I had a very hope from Mr. Jaitely but it seems BJP did not want to repeat N-deal embarrassment in parliament so BJP allowed it pass.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Advaniji,
I am welcoming your words for compulsory voting. But this is not enough. One more important things is there. Please fix the day for voting may be Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday. I am from chennai. In Tamil Nadu most of the youth are working in chennai. If the voting day falls on Weekdays, it is tough to go to native and do the voting.
My suggestion is: Voting should be compulsry/ Voting day should fall on Weekend/ Government has to arrange special Transportation service (not free).
March 11th, 2010 at 10:48 am
DEAR ADVANI SIR,
I SHALL PUT IT ON RECORD THAT ALL SOLDIERS MUST BE THANKFUL TO YOU FOR RAISING THEIR CONCERN IN PARLIAMENT. IT IS PITIABLE THAT PM OF COUNTRY IS LEAST CONCERNED ABOUT SOLDIERS PERHAPS HE HAS NO ONE FROM HIS FAMILY IN DEFENCE FORCES HE COULD NOT GIVE THE CORRECT REPORT. IN TODAYS PAPERs, DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS SAID THAT LETTER FOR OTHER RANKS/ PENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED. NOW HOW COME THIS HAPPENED ONLY AFTER YOU RAISED THE ISSUE. PLEASE CONGRATULATE THE PM AS HE HAS WOKEN UP NOW.
March 11th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
आदरणीय महोदय,
आपने एक अच्छी पहल की है, वैसे शुरूआत भाजपा के ही गुजरात के मुख्यमंत्री माननीय नरेन्द्रजी मोदी कर चुके हैं। मैं समझता हूँ कि देश को अब अनिवार्य मतदान की और बढना चाहिये। जहॉं शिक्षित वर्ग मतदान के प्रति उदासीन होता जा रहा है वहीं तथाकथित वोट बैंक को घर से बाहर निकालने के लिए राजनैतिक दल भ्रष्ट्राचार का सहारा ले रहें है। भ्रष्टाचार देश और लोकतंत्र के लिये नासूर बन चुका है। क्या यहॉं यह जिक्र करना उल्लेखनीय नहीं होगा की आप सभी भाजपा के वरिष्ठजन मिलकर भाजपा शासित राज्यों में पहल के साथ मतदान की अनिवार्यता लागू करावें जिससे देश में एक सकारात्मक संदेश जावे और भाजपा इसे लीड करें।
March 11th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Pradeep ji,
Most of the time election day falls on weekend or state/public holiday, very rare occasion it may happen that it may fall on week days. Even if so happens state govt announces holiday on eve of election day.
Regarding transportation it is not possible due to large section of people traveling in our country. In case if your not going then political parties supporters are there to take care of there party. So take little bit pain and go to home town and exercise your franchisee just it needs planning by arranging our schedule.
Hope for next TN’s state assembly election you will take that much pain.
In my case I work in Hyderabad and my voting right is in Ahmadabad(Guj), during Lok Sabha election I did travel and exercised my franchisee and not only me, many more friends went to their states to caste their vote.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Respected Advani Ji,
I am not so much educated or have political acumen but I can only say one thing that many people are facing problem just because the they are working in some other state. Whenever there is some election in their own state, they cannot come to exercise their voting rights. Even in some places, other people resort to bogus voting in their names with the help of local facilitators.
We need strictly to have in place some system by which if a person can vote from any part of our country and even around the world. Many Indians these days travel overseas. They should not be deprieved just because they are out on work when the election takes place in their states/ home towns. they should also be given a chance to participate in the election process.
Regards
yogesh
March 11th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Sure, just please ensure that there is ‘None’ option button in the Electronic Voting Machine.
March 12th, 2010 at 3:03 am
PRANAAM ,
I must say that Advaani ji is very correct. But I want to suggest that the voting power must be taken away from illiterates or we should give graduates rights of 3 votes, post graduates 5 votes and higher studied people 7 votes. People who do not pay taxes should not be given right to vote .
I do not think any party works for country more that the BJP and larger Sangh pariwar. However, its association with RSS, VHP, SHIV SENA etc takes it away from the the young generation. They would further move away if BJP tries to teach them Hindutva and would not vote for BJP.
Congress won because of a few young faces. In BJP, there are young faces but are not seen enough. They get over-shadowed everytime RSS thrusts old people in the game. RSS must realize that the times have changed.
Regards
hersche
March 12th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Rao harsh vardhan singh @ HERSCHE
“Congress won because of a few young faces. In BJP, there are young faces but are not seen enough. ”
They are not seen because media does not want to focus on them in their news channels. But respective constituencies and people know whom to vote for. Irrespective of who you give the ticket to, the important thing is he/ she must work for the constituency. Other things hardly matter.
We people have an habit of living under dynasty kind of environment, so people still vote just looking at a few dynastic young faces.
I still believe that priority must be given to seniors and then few seat can be reserved for young candidates within party rules. BJP has very good option of bringing new faces from ABVP as they used to do give tickets to them in the past.
Hindutva ideology is very big. Media persons like Barka Dutt, Arnab Goswami, Pronnoy Roy can not understand it. Their channels are largely funded by FDI, so they need to speak against Hindutva at any cost.
March 14th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Before making voting compulsosy, voters should have a ” RIGHT tO REJECT” than and then it will justifiable
Dr Hemant Patel
March 15th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Its really nice that Respected Advani ji is now quite frequent on his Blog with new topics. Here I would like to put in 2 suggestions,
1) Sir, what is happening is that you put in a write up on the Blog and then people keep writing but your participation is not there. I suggest please reply to some of the bloggers who appear serious.
2) Sir, you take up good topics but then you are not just a statesman you are a political party leader too and it would be good if you write on important party issues too. I for one feel Party men expect you to give out your views on Women Reservation Bill.
PRAVEEN S KAPOOR
Delhi.
March 16th, 2010 at 9:27 am
COMPULSORY VOTING IS NOVEL IDEA, KEEP GOING, HATS OFF TO NARENDRA MODI. BUT VOTERS SHOULD HAVE OPTION OF -RIGHT TO REJECT.
I DONT SEE ANY PARTY REALLY INTERESTED IN THE PROGRESS OF DOWN TRODDEN INDIANS, FOR LAST 62 YRS OF INDEPENDENCE WE AS COMMON PEOPLE HAVE NEVER EVER ENJOYED THE POWER OF REAL FREEDOM.
March 17th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I think compulsory voting is not completely democratic. As a citizen, I think voting is a privilege like freedom of speech, not a duty like paying taxes. While I can exercise that freedom if I want to, I should not be forced to do so.
March 21st, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I feel that there are enough fundamental problems with the election system and whole system needs to be addressed holistically instead of piece-meal.
T.N. Seshan (despite being very much part of a bad system) showed what was possible as far as the election system is concerned. To check him, 2 additional Chief-Electoral officers were added. Why was this perversion of the system allowed? How can there be 3 chiefs of the same organization? The present day CECs are a pale shadow of Seshan, even though they try to project themselves as pillars of the Indian system. So onus needs to be put on both sides with good understanding of why people fail to vote.