BJP Jharkhand chief Deepak Prakash introduces Compulsory Voting Bill in Rajya Sabha

Deepak Prakash, the MP and state president of the BJP, today introduced a private member bill i.e. the Compulsory Voting Bill (Private) today in the Rajya Sabha.

The bill’s goal is to guarantee that every citizen can exercise his/her right to vote if they are both physically and mentally capable of doing so. The measure mentions penalties for people who choose not to vote as well as incentives for those who do so under challenging conditions.

According to the punishment clause, a voter who fails to cast a ballot will be subject to a fine of 500 rupees, a 2-day jail sentence, the confiscation of their ration card, or a 10-year ban on running for office.

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In addition, there is a provision for government employees who willfully miss work to forfeit 10 days of pay or postpone advancement for two years.

If a voter participates in the voting due to illness or a disability, there is also a provision to grant special exemption in occupations, etc. as a citizen.

Additionally, the law contains a clause that exempts anyone who are disabled, unwell, or who cannot vote for any other compelling reason.

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Keeping a distance of 500 metres between booths, making special accommodations for sick, disabled, and pregnant voters, and ensuring separate voting arrangements for poll workers are all done in order to encourage voting.

The bill lists numerous nations where voting is required in order to cast a ballot, including Chile, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Argentina, Fiji, Greece, Australia, Mexico, Turkey, and Uruguay.