Australia is one of the few countries in the world to vote mandatory, the Daily Mail reported. The consequences of failing to vote in an election may be more serious than you think.
Citizen who does not vote may be fined, while those who fail to pay the fine may be cancelled their driver`s license or even forced to implement community service.
In federal elections, the penalty for not voting is 20 yuan, but voters may face more serious consequences.
If voters fail to pay a fine of 20 yuan, they may face a fine of up to 180 yuan.
If the fine is still not paid, the Australian Election Commission can sue them on court and force them to pay the fine.
Such cases occurred in 2016. Darwin criminal Frank Bost refused to vote and was ordered to pay $308, including fines and litigation fees from the Australian Election Commission.
"people who don`t pay fines will be charged with court, which may lead them to impose community service orders or property, and court may impose other sanctions," the Australian Election Commission website said.
In addition, not voting will have more serious consequences.
Tazhou woman Emma Louise Pearce was convicted after failing to vote in the 2016 federal election. Court fined him 180 yuan.
According to the relevant regulations, the penalty for not voting in the government election in Xinzhou is 55 yuan. Voters must pay the fine within 28 days of issuing the fine notice, and if they do not pay the fine, the New State Finance Department will step in. The Finance Department may issue a fine notice, which will result in the cancellation of voters` driver`s license or car license.
In Kunzhou, the penalty for not voting is 126.15 yuan. Similarly, voters who do not pay fines will be taken further steps, including the cancellation of their driver`s license and even the deduction of money from salary.
In Victoria, the penalty for not voting is 81 yuan, and if the fine is not paid within 28 days, the figure will rise to 106.10 yuan.
If voters still fail to pay fines, the matter will be referred to Fines Victoria, which can cancel voters` car licences.
In South Australia, the penalty for not voting is 70 yuan, which will then rise to 125 yuan. Voters may lose their driver`s license, salary will be taken away or assets will be frozen.
In Western Australia, the first offender who does not vote will face a fine of 20 yuan, which would have risen to 50 yuan if he had a history of not voting.
The fine for not voting in Tazhou is also 20 yuan.
