Islamabad:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan said on Wednesday it would be commendable if the government made voting mandatory for all those eligible for it.
A Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry headed by three-judge bench made the suggestion during a hearing of a petition pertaining to electoral reforms, Dawn News reported.
As the bench also asked the government to give its opinion on making voting mandatory for all those eligible, Attorney General Irfan Qadir said legislation was necessary for making the voting mandatory.
He said while voting was the right of every citizen, he or she should also have the right not to vote. The chief justice said amendments were being made to the system in a bid to sustain democracy.
Justice Chaudhry added that the apex court had declared only a democratic system would be allowed in the country, adding that there was no space for any other form of governance in Pakistan.
For this reason, democracy and democratic institutions would have to be strengthened in the country, he said, adding the system would change for the better only if the gradual reforms are made to it.
Justice Chaudhry clarified that the court did not imply that not voting should be made a punishable offence.
He, moreover, inquired whether voting could be made mandatory before the upcoming general elections.
Mr Qadir said he would consult with the government as to whether the condition could be implemented before the elections.
The hearing was later adjourned to 30th January.