Should Voting In India Be Mandatory And Why

Introduction

Voting is not merely a right but also a responsibility of citizens in any democratic nation. In India, however, the percentage of people who exercise this right is relatively low. This raises the question of whether voting in India should be made mandatory or not. This essay argues that voting should indeed be made compulsory in India in order to ensure that the elected leaders truly represent the nation and to foster political literacy among the population. By making voting mandatory, people will be encouraged to educate themselves on critical issues such as social change, empowerment, and financial policies that are essential for national growth and development.

Discussion

Importance of Political Participation

Currently, there exist significant gaps between urban and rural areas in India when it comes to crucial issues like growth and development. Merely encouraging people to vote is not sufficient to bridge this divide. Electoral politics in India is often dominated by a small cross-section of the population. Compulsory voting can address this issue by ensuring broader participation and representation of diverse voices and interests. Countries like Australia, where voting is mandatory, have witnessed healthy voter turnouts and have experienced economic growth. India can learn from such examples and strive for similar progress by making voting obligatory.

Addressing Voter Apathy

Voter apathy is a major concern in many parts of India. Governments at both the local and central levels invest significant resources and funds in campaigns to encourage voter participation. Making voting compulsory can alleviate this problem, as citizens would be required to vote, thus eliminating the need for costly campaigns. Moreover, in countries where voting is optional, low turnout rates often result in undeserving candidates securing victories. Compulsory voting ensures that citizens make an informed choice and actively participate in shaping the political landscape.

Accountability and Eliminating Malpractices

Compulsory voting holds the state accountable for its actions. When the entire nation is obliged to vote, issues such as vote capturing and criminalization of politics can be addressed. By casting their votes, citizens actively engage in the democratic process and have a say in shaping the government. This leads to more representative and responsible governance.

Facilitating the Process

To make the voting process more accessible, governments can implement various initiatives. Measures such as postal voting, online voting, weekend voting, and automated electoral enrolment can accommodate the large number of voters and alleviate time constraints. These reforms address common excuses for not participating in the electoral process and promote higher voter turnout. Strength in numbers can help eliminate electoral malpractices, and the collective judgment of the Indian population can ensure that elections reflect their true hopes and aspirations.

Conclusion

Mandatory voting in India is essential to foster a politically engaged and informed citizenry. It promotes political literacy, bridges societal divides, and holds the government accountable. By learning from countries where compulsory voting has yielded positive outcomes, India can strive for inclusive and representative governance. It is imperative for legislators and bureaucrats to initiate the necessary processes for making voting mandatory in order to achieve national growth, development, and a thriving democracy.

References

1. Rishi, A. (2018). Mandatory Voting: A Comparative Study. Journal of Political Science & Public Affairs, 6(1), 1-3.
2. Singh, A. (2019). Political Literacy in India: Issues and Challenges. Indian Journal of Political Science, 80(3), 703-714.
3. Verma, S., & Kapoor, A. (2020). Voter Apathy in India: Causes and Remedies. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 6(2), 22-30.
4. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. (2022). Compulsory Voting. Retrieved from https://www.idea.int/topics/compulsory-voting