Disha Explains: Want to go with the option of NOTA instead of any political party this general election? Before you opt for it, you should know how it actually works.
Image Source: EPS
With only 10 days to go for election, recent most news reports suggest that some people might opt the option of NOTA, an acronym for ‘None Of The Above’, in the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Are you one of them? Then read on before you opt for it.
What is NOTA?
Rule 49-O gives citizens the ‘Right to Reject.’ Simply put, one can opt for the None of the Above (NOTA) option if they don’t have confidence in any of the candidates listed in their constituency.
By choosing this option, one can ensure two things:
i) Expressing their discontent/lack of confidence in the candidates.
ii) Ensuring no one misuses your vote.
A Brief History of NOTA In India
NOTA got a fair number of votes in the recent assembly elections and around 60 lakh people (1.08% people of the electorate) chose the NOTA option during the 2014 general elections. Interestingly, that was the first time NOTA was introduced in the Lok Sabha polls. With the 2019 general elections around the corner, NOTA still seems to be a popular option for many.
What If NOTA Outperforms Other Candidates?
If NOTA receives the maximum number of votes in a constituency, the candidate who received the second best number of votes will be announced as the winner of the polls. It can be inferred that people can give negative feedback on the candidates in a constituency but that will not invalidate the election.
There has always been suggestions calling for reelection in case NOTA receives the highest number or a certain percentage of votes.
Las year, Maharashtra and Haryana State Election Commissions announced that if NOTA exceeds the most number of votes, then none of the candidates would be declared the winner and a fresh election would be held instead.
Stay tuned for more updates!
