Gujarat Government To Make Voting Compulsory In Coming Local Body Election

13 April, Ahmedabad

Gujarat government is keen on implementing compulsory voting in the coming local body polls in the state. Notice issued by the state government has said that Gujarat will become the first state in the country to introduce compulsory voting before the elections of 315 local self Governments scheduled in October.

Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill- 2009 passed by the state assembly was already approved by the Governor O.P. Kohli in November 2014, which also has a provision of 50 percent reservation for women in the local bodies apart from compulsory voting.

The committee headed by former State Election Commissioner K.C. Kapoor has invited suggestions from the public to implement the law.

In a notice issued last week, the committee invited suggestions from the public within 10 days time to frame rules for compulsory voting law in local body elections. Controversial legislation has a provision for making it mandatory for people to vote in the local body polls or face a penalty.