Gujarat govt tables compulsory voting Bill again

While rejecting the Bill,the Governor had pointed out 15 loopholes in it. The Bill has a provision for 50 per cent reservation for women. The Governor had said while the reservation was a welcome step,it should not be clubbed with compulsory voting. She had suggested a separate Bill for women reservation.

The Governor had also said the Bill was brought in haste without serious debate in the House or in public forums or academic circles. Among her other objections was that it infringed on the freedom of expression of the citizens as guaranteed under Article 191 of the Constitution.

The Governor had said the penal consequences on defaulter voters are not provided in the Bill and are left to the state government for which rules are yet to be framed. This cannot be left to the rule making authority and therefore this provision is both alarming and serious.