Electoral reforms: SC seeks govt input on mandatory voting

Chief Justice asks the govt to respond by January 20.


Our Correspondent January 17, 2013
Attorney General Irfan Qadir says legislation would be necessary for the government to make voting mandatory. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD:


While hearing the Awami Workers Party’s petition on electoral reforms, the Supreme Court on Wednesday suggested that the government should consider making voting compulsory in the upcoming elections.


A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry asked the federal government to respond to the apex court’s suggestion by January 20.

In response to the SC’s suggestion Attorney General Irfan Qadir replied that legislation would be necessary for the government to make voting mandatory. He added that many democratic states did have such a law.

Qadir added that while the citizens had the right to vote they should also have the right not to vote.



The Chief Justice remarked that the system could be amended to strengthen democracy. He added that the court on numerous occasions had reiterated that only a democratic system would be allowed to prevail in the country and that gradual reform would bring a definite in the change in the system.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed—one of the judges hearing the petition—stated that the court did not imply that not voting should be made a criminal offence in the Penal Code but, the court wants that the government should form a framework for the elections expected in a few months.



The attorney general in response said that he would consult the government in this regard.

During the hearing, one of the petitioners, Bilal Manto, urged the court to pass orders that barred political parties from spending large amounts on their election campaigns. In response Justice Azmat Saeed, another judge hearing the case stated that the elections should not be the game of rich people, adding that this was why the apex court emphasised reforms before the elections. Justice Saeed added that the purpose of compulsory voting was that maximum people participate in the elections.

Earlier on Tuesday, the chief justice had reiterated that regardless of what anyone does or says the elections would be held on the scheduled time.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.

COMMENTS (1)

John B | 11 years ago | Reply

As long as write in candidates and right to not to vote is included in the mandatory voting, the system is acceptable. Otherwise, the state is forcing the citizens to choose one among the dislikes.

Maximum citizen participation in a democracy requires citizens' faith in the system.

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