Compulsory voting?

Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla while referring to recent resolution of Gujarat assembly for making voting compulsory for local bodies, has rightly termed the idea unpractical. But there are other ways by which voting-percentage can be drastically improved apart from having a more realistic verdict from the people at large.

Many people avoid going to polling-booths because they do not like any of the contestant. Best way is to popularise present concept of ?none-to-vote? under article 49(o) making it practical and secret. Presently even those at polling-booths are unaware of any such provision. What more, identity of voter exercising ?none-to-vote? in form 17-A is not secret. Provision should be there for compulsorily having a button at the end on voting-machines for ?none-to-vote?.

Gimmickry incentives can be formulated for those having exercised voting-rights to motivate more and more voters to go to polling-booths. Voting slips can be issued to those coming to vote. Slip-holders may get nominal rebates in various taxes, queue-jump at public-counters and/or concessions in purchase of application-forms like for admission and registration etc.

SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL

(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)

1775 Kucha Lattushah

Dariba, Chandni Chowk

DELHI 110006 (India)

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E-mail subhashmadhu@sify.com

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