Democracy is a form of government that has been adopted in many countries all over the world. It is the preferred mode of governance as it gives the citizens the right and freedom of expression (U. o. t. P. C. o., & Sciences, 1984). It also gives the citizens the chance to participate in governance. This is mainly demonstrated by the voting process that gives the people the opportunity to choose leaders of their choice.
It has been noted that the voting process plays a major role in determining the quality of governance. Consequently, much importance is attached to the process (Christensen & Kirkpatrick, 1945). The voting process has often been marred by various challenges since time immemorial. This has led to sentiments that suggest it is an inefficient mode of decision making. Certain school of scholars has argued that it is a means of expressing the opinion of the majority while sidelining the opinion of the minority.
Voting is also challenged by the fact that only a few of the registered voters often turn up to vote. This has prompted the debate on whether the process should be made compulsory by law. If voting is made compulsory, it will require that all participants who are registered must vote otherwise, they will be contravening the law.
This paper delves into the pros and cons of making the voting process compulsory by law. This essay will argue on the challenges that will be incurred in case voting is adopted as a lawful compulsory process. The benefits of maintaining the status quo by which voting is not compulsory are also discussed.
It has been advocated for the voting process to be made compulsory to all voters. This has been attributed to the dwindling number of voters who turn up for the voting process during elections (Convention & Pennsylvania 1873). The following graphical representation illustrates this unsteady trend in voting, that has had a crippling effect on the purpose of the voting process;
The graph above gives a clear indication of the inconsistency in the voter turnout as the voting process remains a choice of the voter. If made compulsory, such trends are bound to change. This will ensure that the voting process maintains its credibility as a process that involves the people. In further support of making the process compulsory, it is argued that, more accurate results on the citizen’s feelings would be acquired. This will ensure that the leaders chosen and the conclusions arrived at are in line with the people’s wishes. Decisions made with the support of the majority of the citizens leads to fewer confrontations during the term of governance of the chosen leaders, especially due to lack of agreement on the policies that they advocate for
On the other hand, it can also be argued in favor of the present state, where the voting process is solely the choice of the voter, who may chose to vote or not. First, the process is a show and an act of democracy. It gives the citizens their democratic right and the ability to exercise it as they see fit. This is done freely and not in a forceful manner that will be autocratic and dictatorial in nature. Consequently, forcing the citizens to vote is an infringement of their rights (Desty, Rich, Farnham & Smith 1915). It is also argued that people choose not to vote for a wide range of reasons. Some, for instance, the Jehovah’s witnesses vote due to religious reasons. Others choose not to vote as they may not agree with the policies of the candidates presented. This may cause them not to exercise this right and consequently not to vote.
Enactment of laws that will make the voting process compulsory will be a direct contradiction of the tenets of democracy. It will also be a violation of the rights of the people of self expression. Additionally, for the enactment of such a retrogressive law, there will be a necessary change in several other laws within the constitution in order to enshrine this law (Kansas, B. A. o. t. S. o. 1905). There will also be compromises that will have to be made in order to include everyone within the new constitutional changes. Such accommodations are usually damaging and the costs are too high that the government may not incur economically. There will also be major opposition experienced as a huge majority of the citizens may not agree to the infringement of their constitutional rights.
Conclusively, it can be said that the voting process is a means of citizen participation in the governing of their country. A limitation of such participation by making the process compulsory may not be easily accepted and integrated by the citizens.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Arts, U. o. t. P. C. o. L., Arts, U. o. t. P. C. o., & Sciences. (1984). The Diliman review: College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines.
This article touches on the different aspects of the voter process. it was of much value to this research as it provided information on democratic processes as a form of governance.
Christensen, A. N., & Kirkpatrick, E. M. (1945). The people, politics, and the politician: readings in American government: H. Holt.
This article provided the much needed information on the voter process. it gave insight into the voting process and importance as a democratic process.
Convention, P. C., & Pennsylvania. (1873). Debates of the convention to amend the constitution of Pennsylvania: convened at Harrisburg, November 12, 1872, adjourned, November 27, to meet at Philadelphia, January 7, 1873: B. Singerly.
This article gave a review on the constitution of Pennsylvania. This was a case study into the position that the state would be placed into in the sense that the voting process was made compulsory.
Desty, R., Rich, B. A., Farnham, H. P., & Smith, E. H. (1915). The Lawyers reports annotated: Lawyers' Co-operative Pub. Co.
This resource provided a lawyers perspective into the implications that the country would have to face if the idea of a compulsory vote is implemented. It was of much value to the task.
Kansas, B. A. o. t. S. o. (1905). Proceedings of the annual meeting: Bar Association of the State of Kansas.
This article provided highly invaluable information on the democratic process of voting as discussed in the annual meeting of the state of Arkansas.
REFERENCES
Arts, U. o. t. P. C. o. L., Arts, U. o. t. P. C. o., & Sciences. (1984). The Diliman review: College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines.
Christensen, A. N., & Kirkpatrick, E. M. (1945). The people, politics, and the politician: readings in American government: H. Holt.
Convention, P. C., & Pennsylvania. (1873). Debates of the convention to amend the constitution of Pennsylvania: convened at Harrisburg, November 12, 1872, adjourned, November 27, to meet at Philadelphia, January 7, 1873: B. Singerly.
Desty, R., Rich, B. A., Farnham, H. P., & Smith, E. H. (1915). The Lawyers reports annotated: Lawyers' Co-operative Pub. Co.
Kansas, B. A. o. t. S. o. (1905). Proceedings of the annual meeting: Bar Association of the State of Kansas.
