Gujarat to issue compulsory voting notification next week

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government has decided to implement the controversial Compulsory Voting Act during local body polls in 253 municipalities, 208 taluka panchayats, 26 district panchayats and six municipal corporations, expected to be held in October this year.

Gujarat state government spokesperson and state health minister Nitin Patel announced after a cabinet meeting here today that a notification on the same will be issued next week.

"We have been working on framing rules for compulsory voting. After deliberations, we have prepared the draft and a notification regarding rules of the act will be announced next week. We are planning to implement the Act during the forthcoming local body polls in the state," Patel said.

The compulsory voting bill was first passed by the Gujarat state assembly in 2009. However, the then Gujarat Governor Kamala Beniwal had rejected the bill.

Ever since 2011, when the bill which makes voting mandatory in civic polls and also has a punitive provision, was passed once again, it had been lying without getting Governor's assent.

In November 2014, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli gave his approval to the bill and it has became an Act.

Since the Act has a controversial provision of penal action against those who fail to vote, the Gujarat government formed a committee and asked citizens to convey their opinions as well as suggestions to the committee in order to frame rules.

The committee compiled these suggestions and submitted a report to the Gujarat state government recently.

Gujarat government sources revealed that harsh action may not be taken against those who fail to vote in elections.

Under the rules of the act, to be declared next week, punishment will be milder for first time offenders, senior citizens and people who migrate for their work, sources said.