Prelims Focus: Current events of national importance | Polity and Governance
Why in News?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the poll schedule for5 Assembly elections to be held in April–May 2026.
Constitutional Provision - Article 326- Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies shall be based on adult suffrage.
Every citizen ≥ 18 year, not otherwise disqualified, is entitled to be registered as a voter.
Statutory Framework -Representation of the People Act, 1950- Section 19 - Sets the eligibility to be an elector - Requires age ≥ 18 and ordinary residence in a constituency.
Representation of the People Act, 1951- Section 62: Grants right to vote to every person whose name is on the electoral roll.
Judicial View -Supreme Court has held that the right to vote is a statutory right, not a fundamental right.
Compulsory voting –Voting is neither a fundamental duty nor a legal duty in India as of now.
Committees & Reports related to compulsory voting -Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) - Did not favour compulsory voting; recommended awareness campaigns.
Effectiveness depends on strict enforcement of penalties.
Not desirable or feasible in India.
Constitutional Concern- Compulsory voting mayviolate freedom of expression (Article 19(1)), as abstention is also a form of expression.
Global Comparison
Australia, Argentina, Brazil - Compulsory voting; fines for non-voters.
Peru -Denial of certain public goods/services to non-voters.
Solution -The solution lies in fostering enthusiasm amongst voters to exercise their right to vote through innovative campaigns, especially using social media.
For migrant workers, stricter implementation of the statutory holiday on the day of polling, coupled with an increase in transport.
With the advent of newer technologies, robust and secure methods acceptable to all stakeholders for remote voting should be considered.
