Hailing the Supreme Court verdict allowing negative voting, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has said it was a step towards future electoral reforms to make our democracy more vibrant and meaningful.
"I wholeheartedly welcome this. I am sure it will have a long-lasting impact on our polity and will be a great step in the direction of further electoral reforms that can make our democracy even more vibrant and participative," Modi said on his blog today.
The Gujarat Chief Minister said he supports the provision of right to reject in elections, as there was something lacking in the system without it.
"This judgement will empower voters to express their anger and reject all of them (candidates). Voters can give a message that we do not like the candidate or the candidates' party or the party's policies.
"This will give out a very strong message to political parties - parties will be forced to think why is it that people are not accepting them. It will make parties more responsible," he said.
Modi said he was not surprised at the scepticism aired by some parties on the "Right to Reject" concept, and said a bill on compulsory voting which included the said right was brought in the Gujarat Assembly which, after stiff opposition from Congress was passed wlthough the Governor has not cleared it.
Batting for compulsory voting, Modi said it can make our democracy stronger and will help curb the use of money power during elections.
"It will even mitigate fears about elections becoming display of money power... By bringing compulsory voting, mindless and extravagant expenditure on elections will not happen as the voter will anyway have to come to the polling booth and cast his or her franchise," he said.
