Question : MANDATORY VOTING IN LOCAL BODIES

(a) whether the Union Government is aware of a legislation recently assented to by the Governor of Gujarat for making voting mandatory in elections to the local bodies in the State;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Union Government thereto;

(c) whether the Union Government has received any suggestions or opinion from any quarter in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon; and

(e) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b): As per article 243K, read in conjunction with article 243C, 243 R and 243ZA of the Constitution of India, `the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for. and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats/Iocal bodies shall be vested in a State Election Commission consisting of State Election Commissioner lo be appointed by the Governor.`

(c) to (e): At present, no proposal for making voting mandatory in the Parliamentary/Assembly elections is under consideration of the Government.