Listening to the people on TV it is clear that this latest "astram" (arrow) from Modi's quiver has the non-BJP peoples quivering with indignation (possibly for not thinking this up themselves methinks!!).
Now coming to the proposal itself - there are quite a few countries in the world where voting is compulsary. The biggest argument AGAINST this proposal or rather the ONLY opposition is that the fundamental rights of an individual are impinged upon if they are "forced" to vote. well i consider being "forced" to pay taxes an impingment on my fundamental rights of freedom.
Now coming to why i think this is a good proposal :
1. The EC can no longer be manipulated by the powers that be wherein the all important voter list decides whether one votes or not - in spite of applying 3 times this author does not have a voter id card - ergo no vote. now under compulsory voting they will have to give me my card else they will be fined!! simple isnt it!!
2. The parties which specialise in divide and rule (caste based, minority vote bank politics etc etc) - will now have to work that bit extra to add more vote banks or work with a non-vote bank manner - now wouldn't that be nice.
3. To demolish the main argument against compulsory voting - we have the "NOTA" - DUH!- the nota can be given more teeth by - refer my earlier article on this here .
4. This will increase the learning curve in tech adoption as practical difficulties in implementing compulsory voting will need to be ironed out - for eg people in transferable jobs, people having to attend a wedding/ funeral/(fill in the excuse) in some part of the world/ country on the day of voting etc etc... all this requires a robust tech system that will allow remote voting - ERGO - we can all cast the ballot sitting at home !! (finally the people in the armed forces and NRI's can also vote - though i personaly believe these class of people shouldnt be voting as the NRI's will be benchmarking the election rhetoric with their local adopted country and in the case of the armed forces i would like them to be apolitical - it wouldnt help if people in the army start siding with the politician of the day to futhur their career in the forces)
I think the last point really scares the hell out of the babus sitting in nirvachan sadan as they would have to live without the huge budgets that they are used to, and the poor news channels - for whom the election will be a one day affair and not the 2 month jamboree it currently is. imagine a rahul kanwal and his election express and nowhere to go!!
Now coming to the proposal itself - there are quite a few countries in the world where voting is compulsary. The biggest argument AGAINST this proposal or rather the ONLY opposition is that the fundamental rights of an individual are impinged upon if they are "forced" to vote. well i consider being "forced" to pay taxes an impingment on my fundamental rights of freedom.
Now coming to why i think this is a good proposal :
1. The EC can no longer be manipulated by the powers that be wherein the all important voter list decides whether one votes or not - in spite of applying 3 times this author does not have a voter id card - ergo no vote. now under compulsory voting they will have to give me my card else they will be fined!! simple isnt it!!
2. The parties which specialise in divide and rule (caste based, minority vote bank politics etc etc) - will now have to work that bit extra to add more vote banks or work with a non-vote bank manner - now wouldn't that be nice.
3. To demolish the main argument against compulsory voting - we have the "NOTA" - DUH!- the nota can be given more teeth by - refer my earlier article on this here .
4. This will increase the learning curve in tech adoption as practical difficulties in implementing compulsory voting will need to be ironed out - for eg people in transferable jobs, people having to attend a wedding/ funeral/(fill in the excuse) in some part of the world/ country on the day of voting etc etc... all this requires a robust tech system that will allow remote voting - ERGO - we can all cast the ballot sitting at home !! (finally the people in the armed forces and NRI's can also vote - though i personaly believe these class of people shouldnt be voting as the NRI's will be benchmarking the election rhetoric with their local adopted country and in the case of the armed forces i would like them to be apolitical - it wouldnt help if people in the army start siding with the politician of the day to futhur their career in the forces)
I think the last point really scares the hell out of the babus sitting in nirvachan sadan as they would have to live without the huge budgets that they are used to, and the poor news channels - for whom the election will be a one day affair and not the 2 month jamboree it currently is. imagine a rahul kanwal and his election express and nowhere to go!!
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