MPs want fines to make people vote

VOTERS who fail to turn out on election day should be hit with a token fine, an MP has suggested in a new law due to be examined by the French National Assembly.

Thierry Lazaro, from the right-wing UMP party, has submitted a draft law that would make voting compulsory for all French citizens - with a fine of €15, increased to €45 for a repeat offence.

According to Le Figaro, it is the 13th time in as many years that a law of this sort has been presented to parliament. All but one has come from the right - the exception being a bill put forward by Laurent Fabius after record low turnout in local elections in March 2011.

Mr Lazaro says in the bill that voting is "not just a right, but a duty". He believes a law making the vote compulsory is the only way to tackle high levels of abstention.

However, critics say it would cost more to pursue non-voters than the token fine would generate in revenue - and it is up to politicians to make a more compelling case for turning out to vote.

Voting is compulsory in a number of EU countries - Belgium, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein - as well as in Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.