Voting is a fundamental right of a citizen in a democratic form of governance. But in several democracies, voter lethargy results in low turnout in the elections. Administrators and political scientists consider the skipping of the electoral process a disservice to the democratic system.
To address the low turnout in elections, several countries have amended their constitutions and made it mandatory for citizens to exercise their franchises. Those advocating for compulsory voting believe that the larger the voter turnout, the better the chances of a result that conforms to the true public sentiment. They also argue in favor of compulsory voting because it helps make informed political choices and is supposed to bring down the expenditure on creating awareness about elections through state or candidate-funded campaigns. Belgium was the first country to make voting compulsory.
Voting is a democratic process, and arm-twisting citizens to vote goes against the principles of democracy.
Here are some reasons why voting should not be made compulsory for citizens:
Against the values of democracy
In a democracy, the compulsion to vote is perceived as an oppressive move. A citizen who is unable to vote is liable to be penalized and, in some countries, sentenced. Democracy has no room for a state hurting the dignity of its citizens.
Violates freedom of choice
Voting is perceived as a right and not an explicit duty. Exercising the franchise is a choice. Forcing someone to vote amounts to an infringement of the rights of a citizen. This interferes with the right to freedom, which is not consistent with democratic values.
Results in random voting
If you are forced to do something against your wishes, you tend to lose interest in it. Forced mandate results in random voting patterns. Random voting refers to uninterested citizens electing candidates randomly because they have no choice in it. Random voting throws up unexpected results and may result in hung parliaments.
An expensive step
Any authoritarian step involves the entire state machinery observing and reporting on adherence to its instructions. Huge democracies such as India and the US and countries with limited financial resources would be unable to bear the high monitoring costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which countries have made voting compulsory?
Voting is mandatory in two dozen countries. Belgium, Argentina, and Australia have made it mandatory for citizens to vote.
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Is exercising franchise mandatory in India?
No, voting is not mandatory in any election in India. You are free to opt-out of the voting process.
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Are voters fined for not voting?
Voters in countries, which require them to exercise their franchise, can be fined or even sentenced based on the governing laws. In India, voters are not fined for not voting.
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What is the voter turnout in India?
In the last general elections held in 2019, the highest-ever voter turnout of 67 percent was recorded in India.
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What is the voter turnout in the US?
In the presidential elections held in 2020, the turnout of the Voting Eligible Population (VEP) was 67 percent.
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Does high voter turnout result in a better government?
High voter turnout is never a measure of an able government that works for its citizens. Corrupt governments have been voted into power despite high turnout.
