The issue became important after the low turnout to the May 15-16 mega-elections, in which, despite the interest aroused by setting up the convention that will draw up the new Constitution, only a little more than 43 percent of the population voted.

Esteban Velazquez, legislator of the opposition Green Social Regionalist Federation party and promoter of the initiative he presented in 2020 when it was rejected due to a low quorum, considered that the country ‘is in different conditions of citizen participation and this instrument must operate again.’

The legislator recalled that the referendum to approve the new Constitution when it is ready, will be compulsory, and considered it appropriate to extend that practice to other voting occasions.

Velazquez said that citizens must be aware that, in the same way tax payment is compulsory, ‘we think that compulsory voting is going to strengthen much more the country’s democratic system.’

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