Supreme Court Refuses to Mandate Compulsory Voting, Citing Policy Limitations

The Supreme Court declined a PIL that sought mandatory voting in India, emphasizing that such decisions fall within the policy domain. The court suggested the petitioner engage with policymakers, highlighting that democracy thrives on informed citizens, not legal enforcement, and noting logistical challenges of enforcing mandatory voting.

The Supreme Court has turned down a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) urging it to make voting mandatory across India, stating that such mandates fall within the policy domain, not judiciary. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, encouraged petitioner Ajay Goel to engage with appropriate stakeholders about his concerns.

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice stressed the importance of public awareness in a democracy over legal coercion. He highlighted that while everyone is expected to vote, it's not feasible to legally enforce it. The Chief Justice questioned penalizing non-voters and emphasized that democracy relies more on citizen engagement than compulsion.

The court also pointed out practical challenges, noting that many citizens, including judges, work on election days. Additionally, it raised concerns about how mandatory voting might affect marginalized groups, questioning what should be done for those who must prioritize earning a livelihood over voting.