In a strange way, it's good that people don't get to vote. With voter apathy and declining turnout in many countries, might as well encourage people to stop voting.
Let voter turnout drop to single digit percentages. It would be hard for anybody to claim that the elected person had any kind of mandate. The news headlines would be farcicial, "Prime Minister elected, wins 55% of the popular vote, on 7% turnout"
Of course in Australia they currently fine you if you don't vote. Perhaps in future they'll make it a criminal offense and put people in prison for not voting!
The fine is a token amount ($20 - $50), although failure to pay results in the loss of your Drivers License. [1]
Considering the voting debacle in Western Australia (where a Senate result was declared with just a 14 vote margin, despite the Australian Electoral Commission admitting to losing 1375 ballot papers), I think there are some Australians debating whether they should participate in future elections.
Let voter turnout drop to single digit percentages. It would be hard for anybody to claim that the elected person had any kind of mandate. The news headlines would be farcicial, "Prime Minister elected, wins 55% of the popular vote, on 7% turnout"
Of course in Australia they currently fine you if you don't vote. Perhaps in future they'll make it a criminal offense and put people in prison for not voting!