Controversial local bodies' bill passed in Gujarat assembly

Gujarat on Saturday became the first state in India to make voting compulsory in all local body elections, with chief minister Narendra Modi terming it a “move to strengthen democracy”. Amid opposition from the Congress, the assembly passed the controversial Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009.

The bill makes voting mandatory in elections to all seven municipal corporations, 159 municipalities, 26 district panchayats, 223 taluka panchayats and in 13,713 village panchayats of the state. The bill, which also seeks to raise the reservation of seats for women in local self governance bodies from 33% to 50%, was passed by voice vote.

The opposition, led by Congress, opposed the mandatory voting provision and said that it was contradictory to the constitutional provisions, but supported raising of seats for women.

Piloting the bill, urban development minister Nitin Patel said it was aimed at making democracy more representative and meaningful. Terming the bill “an epochal move”, Modi said that the educated and the intellectual class who often stay away from participating in grassroots democracy, would now have to do so.

“It was shocking to see that the large mass of people who had collected to light candles in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai did not come out to vote with the same enthusiasm,” he said. “Our decision seeks to overturn such a situation to ensure that there is maximum participation of people in (elections).”

According to the new law, all registered voters in Gujarat will be required to vote. Those absent will be asked to submit a valid reason . The bill empowers the election officer to declare people who do not vote as ‘defaulter voters’.

They will be given one month to present their case. Exemption will be granted on account of illness, absence from the country or state on polling day and for any other reason prescribed by the state.