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Should India make voting mandatory in all elections?
CJP Editorial 24 May 2026 Ends 23 June 2026
The Question
India has one of the world's largest democracies but voter turnout in many constituencies hovers around 50-60%. Countries like Australia and Belgium have mandatory voting with turnout above 90%. Should India make voting compulsory for all eligible citizens, with a small fine for abstaining without valid reason? Supporters argue it strengthens democracy and ensures governments represent the full population. Critics argue it infringes on personal freedom and may lead to uninformed votes.
Live Results — 8,368 votes cast
Support4,823 (58%)
Neutral1,204 (14%)
Oppose2,341 (28%)