Written By Utkarsh Singh Patel (Grade 8)
Is it possible for a society to be democratic if involvement in the electoral process is not mandatory? Should voting, the basic tenet of democracy, be seen as a privilege that an individual has or as an obligation that every citizen of the country owes to the nation?
It is important to understand whether voting is a right or a duty and whether this right should be enforced on all voters in India, it is also crucial to consider the importance of the Indian democracy model. This is a system whereby people have a chance to vote for the leaders of their choice and in so doing exercise their rights in the formation of the leadership of the country. However, there are those who think that voting should be made compulsory. This is, it should be made a requirement for the citizens to go out and vote in the election. Thus, the discussion of the issue of compulsory voting is essential within the framework of India, a country with the largest democratic structure of governance and a huge population. Hence, by evaluating the implications of voting being a right or a duty and the impact of mandatory voting in India, it is vital to come up with a better perspective to the issue.
Voting is not only a right, but it is a powerful symbol of democracy. In our history many people have fought hard to win the right to vote. In India this right became a reality in 1950 and when the Constitution was adopted. It allows everyone above a certain age to vote. This was a huge change from colonial times when only a few people could take part in politics. Seeing voting as a right means it’s a vital part of being a citizen, and everyone who can vote should be able to do so freely. It reflects the fair principles of the Indian Constitution and aiming to give every person an equal voice, no matter their background. Voting is a deeply meaningful and empowering experience, showing that every citizen’s voice matters.
In conclusion, it is quite difficult to define whether voting is a right or a duty as it is related to freedom and responsibility. On the positive side and mandatory voting may help to raise the voter turnout and the democratic legitimacy while on the negative side. It may infringe the right of individuals and the quality of voters and the decision to adopt compulsory voting should be made while taking into consideration these factors in light of the situation in each democratic society. As we ponder these questions, we must ponder whether democracy should focus on getting the highest possible participation even if the voters are not well informed and/or engaged?
Featured Image Courtesy – Free Press Journal
