CEC wants voting to be compulsory

Leading a panel discussion here on Thursday, under the topic 8220;Ensuring free and fair elections is the foundation of democracy8221;, the CEC cited the example of a country like Australia, where if someone does not go out to vote, he or she gets a call from the polling station asking them to come and exercise their franchise. 8220;In failure to do so, a fine is imposed,8221; he added.

He said there are as many as 33 countries across the world where compulsory voting is in place. His co-panelists included S Rajendra Babu, chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and Fali S Nariman, eminent jurist. Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court was also part of the discussion that was organised by an NGO, Foundation for Peace, Harmony and Good Governance.

The CEC cautioned that a law for compulsory voting would also have to be adhered to strictly. He went on to explain how he successfully organised free and fair elections in the largest state of the country.

One of the major factors was identification of a large number of 8220;missing voters8221;. These were the people who had migrated for employment or otherwise but continued to be in the list of a particular district where their families still lived, he explained. 8220;There were 85 lakh people in this category. Once we prepared a complete list of missing voters, we gave special instructions to the polling agents like videography of anybody who comes from the said list to vote,8221; Gopalaswami said.

The CEC was complemented for his achievements by the other panelists.

8220;Free and fair elections would lose its value if we are not able to send the right candidate,8221; Justice Sachar said. A thought that found an echo in Babu8217;s concluding remarks, 8220;Conducting free and fair election would remain a cosmetic step in a democratic set-up otherwise.8221;