New Delhi: Law Minister M Veerappa Moily
today said the India needs to graduate to a level where
everyone casts vote and nurture democracy.
"In an ideal situation voting could be made compulsory,"
he said replying to a debate on a Private Member's Bill on
Compulsory Voting moved by Congress member Jai Prakash
Agarwal.
"Everyone should contribute and nurture the largest
democracy" he said in his reply which remained inconclusive.
Earlier participating in debate members from all sides
supported the idea of compulsory voting.
Opposition parties said government must provide adequate
facilities to encourage voters to exercise their franchise.
Gorakhnath Pandey (BSP) said people should be penalised
not casting their votes. The penalty could be a fine of Rs 500
or confiscation of ration card.
Viney Kumar (Cong) regretted that the government has not
not able to prepare proper electoral rolls.
Another Congress member Raja Rampal said about 70-80 per
cent of the people do not know the meaning of democracy.
Premdas (S) said there should be one voter list for all
elections.
J M Aaron Rashid (Congress) underlined the need for
infusing democratic spirit among youth.
Shailendra Kumar (SP) said the Government has to make
facilities available to make people vote.
S Semmalai (AIADMK) endorsed the concept of compulsory
voting and but said the government should not have any
alliance with parties which do not follow good electoral
practices.
Satpal Maharaj (Cong) sought postal voting rights for
defence personnel.
Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (Cong) said the Constitution does
not permit punishing voters if they do not vote.
Vijay Bhadur Singh (BSP), Chaudhary Lal Singh (Congress)
and Badruddin Ajmal (AUD) also spoke.
-PTI
First Published: Saturday, May 01, 2010, 01:00