The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday weighed in on the debate around mandatory voting, questioning whether such a move alone can strengthen democracy in India, reported news agency IANS.
In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the party responded to recent observations by the Supreme Court, including remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant, suggesting that compulsory voting could improve democratic participation, reported IANS.
While acknowledging the intent behind the proposal, the editorial argued that enforcing mandatory voting would be ineffective unless deeper systemic issues in the electoral process are addressed.
Concerns over electoral transparency and trust
The Thackeray-led faction raised concerns about what it described as declining credibility of electoral institutions. The editorial alleged irregularities such as discrepancies in voter lists, manipulation of voting percentages, and lack of transparency in the voting process, reported IANS.
It further questioned whether democracy can truly be strengthened by simply increasing voter turnout without addressing these foundational concerns.
“The idea of mandatory voting is not wrong, but what about the system in which elections are conducted?” the editorial asked, emphasising the need for broader electoral reforms, reported IANS.
Call for systemic reforms, debate on voting methods
The editorial stressed that for democracy to function effectively, the electoral system must be “completely cleaned.” It called for a reconsideration of the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and suggested a return to ballot paper voting as part of restoring public trust, reported IANS.
The party also pointed to the long-standing issue of lower voter turnout in urban areas compared to rural regions, noting that despite multiple reform efforts over the years, the gap has persisted.
Political criticism and broader allegations
In its critique, the Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the ruling establishment of using tactics of persuasion, pressure, and division to consolidate power. It alleged that opposition voices are being sidelined and that democratic institutions are under strain, reported IANS.
The editorial concluded that while mandatory voting may appear as an ideal reform, it would remain ineffective unless accompanied by structural changes to ensure transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
The remarks are likely to add to the ongoing national debate on electoral reforms and the feasibility of making voting compulsory in India.
(With inputs from IANS)
