The Basis of Voting for Parliament

Question

Question: In India elections are held for the municipal board or the assembly (legislature). Is it permissible for Muslims to vote for a Hindu in them or not? A certain person says that the elections held in India are impermissible in the Shari‘a of Muhammad ﷺ, because when a Hindu is elected it is evident that he will commit sin and debauchery (fisq and fujur), and the sin of electing a sinner and debauchee (fasiq and fajir) will fall on those who elect him.

Answer

It is permissible to vote for the one about whom there is a predominant presumption (ghalib al-zann) that he will show goodwill and sympathy; and the one about whom there is a predominant presumption that he will not do so should not be given the vote.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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