The Gujarat government is firm on introducing compulsory voting in civic elections due in October, ignoring objections by the Congress which dubbed it as unconstitutional.
Making clear the government's resolve on the issue, Chief Minister <g data-gr-id="25">Anandiben</g> Patil said <g data-gr-id="20">process</g> of framing rules for default voters is underway.
"We are in the process of notifying rules for the compulsory voting bill. It will be implemented <g data-gr-id="28">in <g data-gr-id="24">corporation</g></g> and the district Panchayat elections. We have also been framing rules for those who cannot cast their votes and the norms will be declared very soon," Patel told reporters in Rajkot.
Principal opposition Congress has sharply criticised the legislation, alleging that it smacked of authoritarianism under which people will be harassed.
"You can pass the law through <g data-gr-id="27">majority</g> but you have to see the spirit behind it. Such compulsory voting system was in vogue in Communist countries like Russia. People will be harassed under such a system," Leader of Opposition in state Assembly, Shankarsinh Vaghela, said.