New Delhi, April 17 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday held that while participation in elections is vital to a democracy, citizens cannot be compelled to cast their vote, underscoring that awareness, and not coercion, is the appropriate means to strengthen electoral participation. The court 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. FULL REPORT ON P9...