Madam, - There may be many reasons why the recent elections and referendums had low turnouts; disenchantment with the political parties; politicians held in low esteem; etc. In any case, it is important that the electorate participate, but enforcing compulsory voting would not be easy or cost-effective.
I suggest an incentive system: at each poll a State lottery could be held with a prize of say, €10 million financed by the Government or, alternatively, in conjunction with corporate sponsors such as builders, which have been shown at various tribunals to be willing to support democracy out of their own pockets. Each voter would be given an election lottery voucher at the polling station on casting his or her vote. The prize would be contingent on 75 per cent of the electorate participating. - Yours, etc.,
BERNARD O'CONNELL, Barrintons Avenue, Blackrock, Cork.