Advani favours making voting compulsory

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani [ Images ] on Thursday said he favoured making voting compulsory in the country on the lines of Australia [ Images ] and Italy [ Images ], where those not exercising their right to franchise are fined.

Addressing a public meeting in support of Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ] candidate and MLA from Dewas, Tukoji Rao Pawar, he said: "In India [ Images ] people talk at length about parties, their policies and candidates, but at the time of voting they do not cast their vote...this is not a good for democracy."

Advani said like Australia and Italy and some other democratic countries, where those who do not cast their vote have to pay a fine, voting should be made mandatory in India too. "Though some people may oppose the idea, it will benefit
the country," he said.

"However, for now, I urge all the voters to exercise their right to franchise on December 1 in BJP's favour," the deputy prime minister said.

Advani said the President and the prime minister have set a goal of making India a developed nation, and to achieve that goal it is essential for the states to become developed, Advani said.