Modi welcomes SC decision on negative voting

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Friday welcomed Supreme Court decision on negative voting, calling it a "great step" for political reforms.

"I wholeheartedly welcome this. I am sure it will have a long lasting impact on our polity and will be a great step in the direction of further electoral reforms that can make our democracy even more vibrant and participative," Modi said in a blog post published Friday.

"This will give out a very strong message to political parties - parties will be forced to think why is it that people are not accepting them. It will make parties more responsible," he said.

Modi also advocated compulsory voting saying it has "several advantages that can make our democracy stronger".

"By bringing compulsory voting, mindless and extravagant expenditure on elections will not happen as the voter will anyway have to come to the polling booth and cast his or her franchise," he contended.

He also urged youngsters to come forward and get registered as voters.