In the 2014 general election, NOTA polled 1.1 per cent of the votes, counting to over 6,000,000. NOTA constituted 1.85 per cent of the total votes, with over 15 Lakh people voting for the option. Facts and figures NOTA was first used in 2013 assembly elections held in four states - Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Through NOTA, a citizen has the right to not vote for any candidate contesting the elections. Sagarika R, architecture student What is NOTA? NOTA or ‘none of the above’ is a ballot option provided in the elections to voters. For that if I have to vote NOTA for an election or two, so be it. I want this country to be governed by smart, educated and sensible individuals who have the people’s interests at heart. NOTA is my way of standing up to the powers that be. Some of the biggest revolutions in the history of mankind were started by a few voices. However, I strongly believe that every voice matters and every vote counts. Vaishnav S, engineering student NOTA is the right way to voice your dissent Many think that it’s pointless to vote NOTA because you will be in the minority and regardless of your vote, one of the parties that you did not vote for will win the election. If they don’t have respect for the people’s mandate, why should we waste our votes on them? I thought it was better to vote NOTA and teach them a lesson. The MLAs indulged in resort politics and behaved like jokers after the results were announced. Our political class is intellectually bankrupt and doesn’t deserve my vote. None of the manifestos are convincing enough nor are their speeches. Vijay A, commerce student Why waste our votes on self-serving politicians? What irks me the most is how conveniently our politicians come asking us for votes just before elections, after neglecting our problems for four-and-a-half years. This is the perfect time to teach politicos a lesson through NOTA. Voting day is the only day that their destiny is in our hands, the balance of power is reversed. Throughout the year, we see political parties abusing each other, and we sit around helpless watching these corrupt politicos loot us. It is sad to see our politicians mudslinging on television and I feel they don’t deserve our vote. People only talk about religion, caste and things that have no connection with development and progress. Farhan A, commerce student Corrupt netas need to be taught a lesson through NOTA The kind of political atmosphere in our country before an election is shameful. I’m proud to have voted as a citizen, and to have voted NOTA. Many advised me against doing so, and told me that it was a waste of a vote, but my conscience didn’t allow me to vote for any of the self-serving candidates that were there. What’s worse, even among the current candidates I don’t see any potential. Nothing has been done towards the development of our society - be it in terms of jobs, infrastructure, water or civic issues like roads and traffic. I didn’t feel even one politician was worthy of my vote I was excited to be voting for the first time, but when I did my research, I realised that there was not a single candidate who was worthy of my vote. We have a right to demand better candidates. So I’ve decided to not vote for any of them. Yet, every leader has the same empty promises to make. In my locality, the drinking water problem is just as bad as it was before the last elections, as is the mosquito menace. My domestic help, for instance, has been doing several rounds for the last four years but to no avail. NOTA is our answer to the leaders who made empty promises The TRS promised 2BHK apartments for poor people but not many have got them. Well, NOTA may not enjoy the same status in Telangana yet, but it is still a powerful tool in their hands, say voters, even as they explain why they chose NOTA over candidates. It’s no wonder then that a lot of dissatisfied voters in Telangana went to the polling booths on Friday to voice their dissent against the political class with much optimism. Soon after, Haryana followed suit, giving NOTA a whole new meaning. In a landmark order, the Maharashtra State Election Commission recently ruled that if NOTA (None of the Above) gets the maximum number of votes in an election, then none of the contesting candidates will be declared as elected and fresh elections would be held.
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