Mandatory voting varies globally; while some enforce penalties, others see low compliance despite laws.
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Some citizens are unaware that voting is mandatory, as seen with Flora Lutsi in Greece who thought the law was not enforced. While many democracies view voting as a right or responsibility, 24 countries worldwide mandate it, including five in the EU: Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Italy, and Malta. Political scientists suggest that for mandatory voting to be effective, a strong state capable of enforcing sanctions is crucial; otherwise, participation relies on the credibility of the state. International reports show that countries with mandatory voting have 14 to 18 percentage points higher participation rates than the average. However, even in mandated countries like Greece, abstention can be high. Greek law mandates voting for all registered citizens, imposing prison sentences for unjustified non-voting, though no sanctions have ever been recorded. In contrast, Belgium has fines and potential removal from electoral rolls for repeated absences, yet these penalties are rarely enforced. Experts note that mandatory voting does not guarantee informed or motivated voters.
