PIL In Delhi High Court Seeks Compulsory Voting In Parliament, State Assembly Elections To Increase Voter Turnout

Advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has filed a public interest litigation before Delhi High Court for compulsory voting in the Parliament and State Assembly elections for increase in voter turnout and political participation.

Upadhyay has also prayed that Law Commission of India be asked to examine various Supreme Court rulings on the right to vote and prepare a report on compulsory voting within three months.

The petition states that compulsory voting can help in increasing the voter turnout, particularly among marginalised communities and will also ensure that “every citizen has a voice and the government is representative of the people's wishes.”

The plea places reliance on the system of compulsory voting adopted by other countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil. It claims that these countries have seen significant increases in voter turnout and improvements in the quality of democracy.

“Low voter turnout is a persistent problem in India: Compulsory voting can help to increase voter turnout, particularly ·among marginalized communities. It ensures that every citizen has a voice and that the government is representative of the people's wishes. When voter turnout is high, the government is more accountable to the people and is more likely to act in their best interests,” the plea states.

The respondents in the PIL are union ministries of Home Affairs, Finance and Law & Justice. Election Commission of India and Law Commission of India are also parties in the case.

Title: Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India & Ors.