Government on Tuesday reacted cautiously on the issue of making voting compulsory in local body elections, saying the issue needs to be discussed threadbare.
“Compulsory voting is a good thing and it should happen,” Union Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal told reporters outside Parliament.
However, on a cautious note, Mr. Jaiswal said it (taking a decision) should not be done in haste. There should be a detailed discussion on all pros and cons of it and Election Commission should also be consulted before taking a decision.”
“What will happen if people do not want to vote for those who are in the fray?” he questioned.
The issue came up after Gujarat government made voting compulsory in the local body elections and the move was endorsed by RJD chief Lalu Yadav.
In a cryptic reply, senior Congress leader Mohisina Kidwai, said “no comment”, when asked about her party’s stand on the issue.
“What is the Election Commission saying on the issue?” she asked.
BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia, welcomed the idea of compulsory voting said it should be implemented in other States as well.
