Should Voting Be Compulsory

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Should voting be compulsory? YES No Low election turn-outs result in a government that does not truly have the democratic mandate of the population. Compulsory voting would ensure the governing party has the majority of the country on its side, and better reflect the wishes of the people. In today’s times a vast majority of people don't really care about what's happening in politics, or simply don't care enough to vote thinking that their one vote won't change anything. If there was compulsory voting I believe that more people would take an interest in politics and make their vote count for something. Simply changing the day elections are held doesn't make it any more attractive for people to vote. Those people who don't care won't care anymore now that an election is on a Saturday, regardless of how much easier it is for them. Just as people have better things (in their opinion) to do during the week, they will have alternative activities for the weekend. Compulsory voting addresses the fact that people simply don't turn up to vote, which weekend voting doesn't Australia and other countries already have compulsory voting in a modern, western democracy, so the UK should follow other countries as well. Forcing people to vote does not ensure a greater democratic process. There will be voters who are voting not because they want a particular party to win but simply because they have to vote. Bullying tactics should never be used in free and fair elections because they undermine the democratic process, and compulsory voting works only when backed up with a penalty/punishment for those who don't vote. Just because it 'works' in other countries does not mean that it should be implemented here. Further questions are raised about how people will vote when they remain apathetic to the process but are compelled to vote: it can hardly be said
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