Modi Government to introduce Gujarat Voting Bill in assembly again

GANDHINAGAR - After failing to get the Compulsory Voting Bill stamped by Gujarat Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal, the Narendra Modi-led State Government has decided to reintroduce the bill in the Assembly.

The Bill makes voting mandatory in state local bodies elections.

In December 2009, The Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, was passed by the Assembly.

Interacting with media, State Health Minister and Government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas said: “It is a privilege of the Governor to return a bill. As far as the government is concerned, we will again place the bill before the state assembly and pass it.”

Commenting on any proposal of modification in the Bill, Vyas said that it would be discussed in the Assembly.

“This being the matter of privilege of the Gujarat Assembly, I would not like to make any comment. To pass it (Bill) with any kind of modification or without it is the privilege of the assembly. But we will definitely go back to the assembly and try for the passage of the bill,” Vyas said.

Meanwhile, State Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel said the government would not make any changes in the Bill.

“We would stick to the present form of bill for now. We will decide what to do when the time comes,” Patel said.

Governor Beniwal had returned the Bill saying the legislation would violate the Constitution.

She also objected to the clause that called for punishment for those choosing not to vote. (ANI)