THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE V
Section 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law,
who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one
year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the
election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage.
Your Vote.
Our Future.
The right to suffrage, as a human right, is related to the concept of democracy and people’s
sovereignty.
Sovereignty is often defined as the principle of absolute and unlimited power. Under the
democratic 1987 Constitution, it is the people alone who can exercise sovereignty. They can
therefore make decisions that are binding on all individual citizens, groups and institutions—
including the selection of leaders who will run the government.
A system of election was first practiced in the Philippines during the Spanish and American
colonial period. The process, however, was limited only to male, educated, and landed voters
and was more ceremonial rather than a genuine democratic mechanism.
Time and again, the struggle for our independence and for democratic governance resulted in a
kind of political system, political leaders and the electorate that we have right now. Elections
have been a major feature and mechanism in practice and through a more informed electorate
are hoped to continue to serve as vehicles towards genuine democratic governance.
Voting is a long-fought-for right, but not a legal obligation.
Compulsory voting might seem strange to Americans, where voting is a long-fought-for right, but not a
legal obligation. But there are arguments in favor of making voting compulsory, as well as arguments
against.
The United States has never come close to establishing compulsory voting, though the topic is brought
up occasionally. Only one state, Georgia, has had such a law, and it was abolished early in the state's
history.
Both sides of the compulsory voting debate have several reasons why they think it is or isn't a good idea.
Let's take a look at some commonly offered pros and cons to such a policy, starting with the pros.
Compulsory Voting Arguments: Pros
No less a figure than Barack Obama has spoken out about compulsory voting advantages. He has said
that it would give traditional non-voters such as young adults and minorities a nudge toward the polls.
1. Mandatory Voting Would Increase Voter Turnout
After virtually every U.S. election, many lament how many people stayed away from the polls. In the
2016 presidential election, one of the most hotly contested in recent history, the turnout was only 55
percent. Voter turnout at mid-term Congressional elections is almost always even less.
Those in favor of mandatory voting state that it would guarantee that every citizen makes his or her
voice heard, and would theoretically provide a more accurate snapshot of what the electorate really
thinks of each candidate. Thus, government would be represented by a true majority and not an active
clutch of special-interest groups.
Before Australia made voting compulsory in 1924, voter turnout in that country hovered around less
than half. After, not surprisingly, turnout rates soared, and are now at around 80 percent. When voting
is characterized as less a right than as a civic duty, more people are likely to go along with it.
2. Compulsory Voting Would Change Campaigning for the Better
If everyone was required to vote, it would remove the need to target campaign efforts to groups of
people candidates think it's important to reach. This would reduce the impact of single-issue voting,
since candidates would need to reflect the broadest spectrum of interests and preferences possible.
When voter turnout is low, leadership and policy initiatives tend to be concentrated in the hands of a
small minority of citizens. This often comes at the expense of younger, low-income, and minority
citizens. Knowing that they will be representing all the people and not just the politically ambitious could
make for more honest campaigns designed to appeal to as many people as possible.
3. Compulsory Voting Would Encourage Engagement in the Political Process
People often don't vote because they don't feel it makes any difference to them as individuals. Being
encouraged, or even required to participate, some say, would diminish that feeling of alienation from
the system. It would also make easier the job of civic groups whose mission it is to encourage voting
among certain geographical or demographic groups.
4. Compulsory Voting Seems to Work
Studies have found that compulsory voting really does increase voter turnout, even in areas where the
penalty for not voting is mild, if there is one at all. Other initiatives that don't put the burden on the
voter — such as Sunday elections or automatic voter registration — do make a difference in turnout, but
not like the impact made by making voting mandatory. Adding compulsory voting to those less heavy-
handed methods of encouraging voting could have a dramatic effect on voter participation.
5. Compulsory Voting Would Encourage Informed Voting
Wanting to make the most of their vote, citizens would become savvier about spotting pie-in-the-sky
campaign promises and negative campaigning. An electorate that takes elections more seriously is one
that wouldn't be as likely to be apathetic about the issues.
6. Mandatory Voting Would Discourage Polarization
It seems that America is more divided politically than any time in recent memory. Advocates of
compulsory voting say that low turnouts favor inflexible partisanship. If all voters went to the polls, a
greater variety of philosophies would be served, and political leaders would be less likely to cater to
extreme views.
7. Compulsory Voting Would Discourage Voter Suppression
Some argue that mandatory voting would allow more people to vote by facilitating the process. The
state would be required to ensure everyone is able to vote, including those in prisons, nursing homes,
and without a way to pay for transportation to the polls. This, in turn, would discourage voter
suppression.
Compulsory Voting Arguments: Cons
Many people believe that compulsory voting would harm both our elections and U.S. citizens. Forcing
people to vote, they argue, would hamper freedom of choice and religion. It would also negatively affect
how politicians run their elections and how people vote.
1. Compulsory Voting Would Encourage an Uninformed Electorate
Nothing is stopping politically ignorant citizens from voting now. Forcing more of those people to vote
would mean millions more ballots cast by people who haven't educated themselves on the candidates
and the issues.
Some studies show that uninformed voters are easily swayed by television advertising. Increasing the
number of those people to be reached would mean a surge in advertising that is misleading and aimed
at appealing to voters' prejudices. In other words, if you think today's elections are filled with nasty,
negative campaign ads, encouraging candidates to woo all voters would make it that much worse.
2. Compulsory Voting Would Hamper Freedom of Choice
Americans' right to vote also includes the right not to vote if someone so chooses. One of the essential
elements of democracy is respecting an individual's right to choose. Making voting mandatory would
infringe on the right of people to also not choose.
That effect would be even more pronounced if failing or refusing to vote was punishable by law.
Imposing a penalty on someone because they decided not to vote would be unlawful, some argue, since
declining to vote harms nobody and violates no individual's rights.
If voting is a right, it doesn't make sense to punish someone for declining to exercise that right — any
more than it would make sense to punish someone for not exercising their right to choose the religion
they wish to practice. In other words, an obligation is not the same as a right.
3. It Would Be a Burden to Law Enforcement
If failing to vote became a crime, it would cost an unthinkable amount of resources to enforce such a
law. For one thing, weeding out the names and locations of those who didn't vote would take a huge
amount of time. Then, tracking them down and serving them with a ticket (or whatever punishment is
mandated) would be a big next step. Finally, there would be a matter of collecting the fines. Enforcing a
compulsory vote, detractors say, would be an inefficient, costly proposition with little to gain.
4. Compulsory Voting Could Decrease Interest in the Issues
While some argue that compulsory voting would encourage themselves to learn about the issues, others
counter that it would have the complete opposite effect — that the mandate would only make
uneducated voters more apathetic and likely to cast a random (and thus wasted) vote.
5. Mandatory Voting Would Steer Candidates Away From Their Base
As we've discussed, less informed voters tend to be more easily persuaded. With a mandatory vote,
candidates could go after that low-hanging fruit for the sake of racking up higher vote totals, leaving
behind their more committed network of support.
6. Compulsory Voting Would Mean More “Spoiled" Ballots
In Australia, since voting has become compulsory, there has been an increase in “spoiled" ballots. That
occurs when voters, either by accident or on purpose, submit a ballot that's either blank or filled in
wrong. Those votes can't be counted. Those against compulsory voting say such results don't reflect an
engaged electorate — rather, it demonstrates the old adage that you can lead a horse to water, but you
can't make him drink it.
7. Compulsory Voting Could Infringe on Religious Rights
Some religious sectors discourage their congregations from participating in politics. Forcing them to do
so by voting could make some citizens uncomfortable, even causing them to feel like they're going
against the wishes of their church.
The Same Goal
While the argument over compulsory voting is still largely a theoretical one in the United States, both
proponents and opponents of the practice have the same goal: finding a way to conduct elections that
reflect the wishes of a democratic society.
13 Strongest Pros and Cons of Compulsory Voting
Jul 21, 2018 by Editor in Chief
Voting is a right and a responsibility. As a citizen of one’s country, it is important that you exercise your
right to suffrage to help ensure that the government officials who are placed into office are the ones
that the people actually voted. For many years in several countries, voting is non-compulsory. This
means that the government does not force its citizens to show up at voting precincts to cast their votes.
However, there are a number of nations that impose mandatory voting. These include Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Greece, and Singapore, to name a few. Twelve of these nations
aggressively enforce the compulsion of voting, giving penalties and charging fees who violate such law.
One of these is Australia. It has been requiring its citizens to participate in federal elections since 1924.
The country’s argument to this strict mandate is that it needs to address low voter turnout, which is
currently below 60 percent.
Now, many people are wondering if compulsory voting is fair not. After all, the whole point of
democracy is giving everyone the freedom to make their own choices, to voice out their opinions. Are
you pro- or anti-compulsory voting? If you haven’t made a choice yet, knowing its pros and cons could
help you make an informed decision.
List of Pros of Compulsory Voting
1. Increase Voter Turnout
It is not democracy if there is only 50 percent of voter turnout. If only half of the population turns out at
voting precincts at an election, it can’t be called a democracy. With the number of voters declining year
after year, political analysts and a few citizens fear that there might come a time when it would just be
the candidates’ kin, friends, and colleagues who will bother to show up.
2. It Broadens Representation and Legitimacy
If voting is made mandatory, it will ensure that the government will be represented by a majority of the
population, not just a few individuals. It will also guarantee that members of the society who are not as
politically active will not be neglected. It will also prevent political leaders to claim greater legitimacy.
3. Lessen the Need for Large Sums of Money in Campaigns
Whether people admit it or not, money plays a significant role in politics. But if compulsory voting
becomes law, there will be no need for politicians to be backed by billionaires to fund their political
campaigns.
4. Make Campaigns Broader
Compulsory voting will assist in not targeting specific subgroups. If it is guaranteed that everyone will
vote, then politicians would stop creating campaigns that are only targeted to certain people. This
should also mean more pressure on politicians to represent the beliefs of all citizens. As a result,
determining the best candidate would be easier.
5. Promote Political Stability
Where there is division there is instability. So when a nation has an alarmingly low voter turnout, it
could increase the risk of political instability brought about by crises or leaders with hidden agendas.
6. Encourage Voters to Better Educate Themselves
If people are obliged to vote in every election, they will most likely want to make the most of their votes.
So, they would want to research more on each candidate to ensure they’ll be able to make the right
choice. As a result, candidates would be forced to be more transparent about their stance on
controversial issues. Furthermore, better-informed voters will be able to determine unrealistic plans,
ensuring fairer decisions in the future.
7. More Serious Elections
It will make people take elections as well as candidates more seriously. Compulsory voting would
compel the people to be more proactive in building a government that will serve the majority, not only a
few groups. This will lead to a better and more united nation.
List of Cons of Compulsory Voting
1. Violate Freedom of Choice
A democratic type of government means that it was built on the basis of respecting basic human
freedoms and rights, particularly free choice. However, it can be violated if voting is made mandatory
because people would not have the freedom to not express their opinion.
2. Decrease Interest
It could push individuals who have no interest in taking part in building a government for the people to
vote. Although it could compel the citizens to educate themselves, there is also the possibility that those
who are honestly not interested will be forced to vote. This could push people to choose candidates
randomly, forfeiting the purpose of an election, which is to place deserving people in key positions. In
other words, votes and consequently the budget spent on the polls will go to waste.
3. Minimize Right to Express Religion
It could take away people’s right to express their religion. There are religious sectors that discourage
their members from participating in political events. Therefore, forcing them to vote explicitly violates
their right to practice their religion.
4. Wrong to Punish Those Who Refuse to Vote
It would be unacceptable and unlawful to punish those who would choose not to vote. It would be a
violation of fundamental rights to punish people who refuse to practice their right to suffrage. Again,
voting is a right, which means that people should have the freedom to choose whether to vote or not.
Besides, imposing penalties and/or punishment to citizens who have no interest in politics would be
unlawful because 1) they did not harm anybody, 2) they did not violate anyone’s right, and 3) they did
not break any law.
5. Encourage Informal Votes
This means that ballot papers with no appropriate markings of voting rules could be used to cater to a
large number of voters every election.
6. Increase Law Enforcement Costs
It will require a considerable amount of money to enforce such a law. If voting becomes compulsory, the
government will be compelled to punish those who violate it. When this happens, it will require a large
sum for the law to be enforced, which would involve finding out who may or may not have broken the
mandate. Although there would be fines as a result of a violation, these could not be enough to
compensate what the government has to spend to impose the law.
In the end, it’s all about making it fair for all parties involved. If enforcing mandatory voting would
violate people’s basic right to not vote, then it would not be a practical law.
