A vote is a medium through which popular will is expressed. It is used as a means to arrive at a decision peacefully and cordially. The Oxford Thesaurus defines vote ‘as a formal expression of opinion or choice, made by an individual or body of individuals’ and voting ‘as expression of choice and will in a matter, that seeks to enact and establish something i.e., yield a result’. Though voting is a right which is exercised by innumerable people in different arenas, the term exudes significant importance in the field of politics. Democratic regimes come into being as a result of election, which is basically a formal process of selecting a person for political office. In a democracy decisions are taken, proposition are accepted or rejected on the basis of vote.
A vote is essentially the most quintessential form of political participation, a privilege that in a democratic government is endowed upon all eligible citizens in a country universally to select and elect their representatives. It enables people’s choice to get reflected, their voices and opinion valued. Though right to vote is a primary political and civil right, many people do not exercise it. Large proportions of eligible voters do not turn out on the day of voting. This, in most cases, eventually leads to victory of simply inept candidates or leaders with minimal support base.
This has led to many people, intellectuals and commoners alike arguing in favour of enactment of law that shall make voting compulsory. According to Britannica, ‘‘compulsory voting is an effect of laws which makes it mandatory for eligible citizens to register and vote in elections”. If one fails to do so, he or she is liable to be imposed upon
with penalties as a sort of punishment for not passing in the test of responsibility. To these authorities who believe in mandate of compulsory voting, vote is not just a right, it is a duty as well which one should try to do sincerely and unfailingly. As per the most relevant and viable data available, twenty-six countries in the world provide for compulsory voting and eleven countries have provisions made for its enactment which they duly utilise. These include countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil etc. Gujarat is the only Indian state to appeal for compulsory voting at the local level.
Many arguments are forwarded in favour of the motion of compulsory voting. First of all, compulsory voting will lead to an increase in people turnout. Election, which is one of the primary means of people’s participation in political affairs, will be cleansed of negligence plague and will be regarded with more esteem. Secondly, making it mandatory will lead to inbreeding of political vigilance among the educated middle class who often harbour a malign picture of the politics. Thirdly, this would lead to greater civic engagement and thus keep the government accountable and on toes as they are well aware of the united mass front of civilians who adhere righteously to civic duties and rights and who will strip them off their political power if they fail to oblige to people aspiration, will and needs. Fourthly, by introducing the compulsion to vote, all citizens residing in a democratic nation are bound to assist in the responsibility of choosing and building a legitimate and stable government. Fifthly, supporters of compulsory voting urge that it addresses the inconsistent notion of voting as insignificant activity, nullifying its value. Certain sections of the population as urban middle class in India and socially disadvantaged groups as prisoners and Red Indian people in USA feel that their vote is insignificant and of negligible value and would stem no positive change and hence they refrain from voting. Compulsory voting shall contribute to removal of such paradox. Finally, it would lead to deepening and strengthening of roots of democracy, as it is all about mass participation and wholesome representation. The exercise of franchise by limited people will invalidate the undeniable significance of the universal adult franchise and as Dave Anderson insists will lead to morphing of democracy to oligarchy. Mandatory voting shall see to it that such perversion does not take place.
Compulsory voting has its own share of flaws and loopholes for which it is vehemently criticised by critics. A number of arguments are pleaded staunchly in its opposition as well. While it is argued that compulsory voting will contribute to political education and enlightenment, experience of countries with compulsory voting as Australia suggest otherwise. When compelled to vote, the dubbed ‘donkey voters’ either marked all the candidates name or voted for the one who was placed serially at the top of the candidates list. Such votes are of no value and they do more harm than good and lead to devaluation of vote.
The idea of compulsory voting is also seen as repulsive as it is believed to be an incursion in the exercise of liberty of people. To vote or not to is a matter of choice, it cannot be coerced upon by any authority as this would lead to subjugation of people’s will and negation of their civil rights. Also it may lead to greater showdown of money and muscle power. Cash-for-vote scams are regular scenes in many African and Asian countries including India. Corrupt politicians and their goons will be given a free mandate to coerce citizens into voting in their favour, in case voting is made mandatory.
Electoral boycotts are an efficient way of organising protests and expressing grievances by people, who through refusal of exercising franchise may compel the government to bend and yield to their demands. Making voting compulsory eradicates that option. If voting is made compulsory, it could violate the freedom of speech, expression and protest.
Compulsory voting can be considered as means to ensure that the earlier hesitant and nonchalant chunk of voters turnout, thus justifying all expenditures that are made during the course of election which goes to gutter in case a considerable sum of voters do not vote. It might seem practical but is it ethical? Exercising one’s franchise is the legal right of every citizen but not a hardcore obligation. It is a duty that one must adhere to but must not be compelled. In this regard even the Supreme Court maintains that people have “right to vote rather than a duty to vote”. On receiving a petition in 2015 which appealed for mandatory voting of all, the Supreme Court referred to the 255th Law Commission Report, which says “electoral right” of the voter includes the right to “vote or refrain from voting at an election.” Being the custodian of law and guardian of justice, it reminded the people of the need to exercise right to vote by proclaiming that “if you do not vote, you have no right to blame the government”. Every vote matters and each vote counts. A vote is a very powerful weapon, it can build or break a democratic regime, change tide of events or prevent a drastic crisis from taking place. It is for that reason that Lincoln aptly remarked “A ballot is more important than a bullet”, since without blood and gore, it can topple down narcissist empire and corrupt politicians. Voting helps us to not just select and nurture a healthy government but also helps us realise the potential of citizenship, makes us keen and aware and spurts in us feeling of affirmative nationalism. We have no right to hurl culpability or charge guilty the government in whose making we have no contribution. While voting should not be made compulsory, it should be based on conscience on the observant and heedful voters. Voting should be practised by all on a wide scale so as to keep democracy not just merely alive but thriving.