India, April 16 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday made it clear that while participation in elections is vital to a democracy, citizens cannot be compelled to vote, underscoring that awareness, and not coercion, is the appropriate means to strengthen electoral participation.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said that any move to impose penal or other consequences for not voting falls squarely within the "policy domain" of the legislature and cannot be judicially mandated.

"The issues raised fall within the policy domain," said the bench in a brief order, disposing of a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking criminal and other restr...