Sir, - After the shamefully low turnout in the European and Local Elections I think that it is time for the introduction of compulsory voting in Ireland to be seriously considered. Attending to vote at a polling station is compulsory in some of the world's democracies (for example, Australia). While there is no evidence that voter apathy in these countries is any less than in Ireland, I think that the principle of citizens being obliged to turn up to vote is a sound one and certainly worthy of debate.
Once people turn up, they are fully entitled to spoil their vote. I think that compulsory voting would certainly focus the minds of the lazy voter. If the apathetic voter knows that he/she must attend to vote he/she will be more inclined to inform his/herself about the issues and candidates.
When compulsory voting is mentioned people immediately say that it is undemocratic and a breach of civil liberties to force people to vote. I don't think it is any more undemocratic than being forced to so jury service, a compulsory duty that is generally accepted by the public.
If a referendum were held on this issue it would be interesting to see how many people would bother to turn up to vote on it. - Yours, etc., Frank Crummey Junior,
Clonfert Road, Kimmage, Dublin 12.