'Gujarat's compulsory voting law unconstitutional, anti-poor'

Some lawyers and activists have dubbed the law making it compulsory to vote at the local body polls in Gujarat as unconstitutional and anti-poor.
Senior lawyer and a noted rights activist Girish Patel today termed it anti-poor, and expressed fear that it can increase corruption.
"The entire question is of political morality and political consciousness. You cannot compel anybody to vote if a person consciously chooses not to use his right to vote, it will not be correct to punish such persons," Patel said.
"The compulsory voting will hit the poor people. More particularly the labour class, including the migrant labourers and daily wagers, who cannot sacrifice their livelihood just to use their franchise. If they do not vote, criminal action will be taken against them and they will be trapped in a legal tangle," Patel said.

"This law is unreasonable and cruel....The legislatures can never force the people to perform their moral duty. The law will be an instrument to harass people, as the police will have the ultimate power to implement the law....The police, as usual, will indulge in 'negotiation', which will increase corrupt practises and the number of court cases too," he said.
Gujarat governor O P Kohli last week gave ascent to the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2011, which makes voting mandatory in civic polls and has a provision of punishment. It also provides 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.

Another city-based lawyer, Amrish Patel, echoed Patel's views, adding that the new law will also violate the right of expression.