Gujarat Governor O P Kohli gave nod to Local Authorities Laws Bill, 2009, which has the provisions of compulsory voting and 50 per cent reservation for women in the institutions of local self-governance.  This Bill was twice approved by Narendra Modi government but then Governor Kamla Beniwal declined to approve it citing Article 21 of the constitution which violates votes to compulsory vote.

According to this bill, a person who fails to vote in the local body elections, will liable for penal action and punishment. This bill was first introduced in the year 2009 and was passed by majority. Then it was sent to Governor for consent, but Beniwal returned the bill to government in 2010 with remarks, 'forcing voter to vote is against the principles of individual liberty.' She also suggested the government to make some changes but ignoring all those, Modi government again sent the same bill in December 2011.

Yet again, Beniwal declined to approve it. Elections to six municipal corporations, 31 district panchayats, 231 taluka panchayats and 53 nagarpalikas in Gujarat are due in October next year. This will be a testing time for BJP in Gujarat as they have to face without Modi for the first time in four terms.

(AW: Vamshi)