No move to introduce compulsory voting in country: Government

The government on Thursday said it has not initiated any action to introduce compulsory voting in the country.

Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda told Lok Sabha in a written reply that no action in this regard has been initiated. His response came in the backdrop of the matter being referred to the Law Commission. The law panel in its report submitted to the government today is learnt to have opposed compulsory voting.

During the Winter session of Parliament, Gowda had told the Lok Sabha on December 4 that "At present, no proposal is under consideration of the government for mandatory voting in general elections". Last year, Gujarat had passed the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws 2009, which made voting mandatory and ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.