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Context: The Indore Lok Sabha constituency received over 2 lakh votes for the "None Of The Above" (NOTA) option, marking the highest vote count for any option in any constituency to date. The previous record-holder was Gopalganj, Bihar, in 2019, where 51,660 voters chose this option.

About NOTA

• It has become an increasingly significant option for voters in India since its introduction in 2013. It allows citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the available candidates by choosing not to vote for any of them.
• In the landmark judgement of PUCL vs. Union of India in 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include the NOTA option in elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. This decision aimed to enhance transparency and empower voters by providing them with an additional choice.
• NOTA was first used in the 2013 legislative assembly elections in four states—Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh—as well as in the union territory of Delhi.
• Since its introduction, NOTA has gained popularity among Indian voters. It has secured more votes than some candidates in legislative assembly elections and, in some cases, even more votes than the winning candidate in panchayat elections.

How does NOTA work?

• When a voter chooses the NOTA option on the electronic voting machine (EVM) or ballot paper, it signifies that they are not in favour of any of the candidates contesting in that particular election.
• NOTA is counted separately from the total votes polled, but it doesn't affect the outcome of the election. Even if NOTA gets the highest number of votes, the candidate with the highest number of votes among the contesting candidates is still declared the winner.

Purpose of NOTA

• Expression of Dissatisfaction: NOTA provides voters with a formal means to express their dissatisfaction with the candidates. It allows citizens to participate in the democratic process even when they are not satisfied with the choices presented to them.
• Accountability: By allowing voters to reject all candidates, NOTA encourages political parties to field better candidates. If a significant number of voters choose NOTA, it sends a message to political parties that they need to offer more acceptable candidates in the future.
• Democratic Right: NOTA reinforces the principle of freedom of expression in a democracy. It ensures that citizens have the right to reject candidates they deem unworthy or unsuitable for public office.

Criticisms of NOTA

• Symbolic: Critics argue that NOTA is merely symbolic since it doesn't have any impact on the election outcome. Even if NOTA gets the highest number of votes, the candidate with the most votes among the contesting candidates still wins the election.
• Limited Effectiveness: While NOTA allows voters to express their dissatisfaction, it doesn't offer a constructive solution. Some argue that instead of rejecting all candidates, voters should be provided with better alternatives, such as the option to recall candidates or the right to reject specific candidates.
• No Legal Consequence: NOTA doesn't have any legal consequences for political parties or candidates. Even if a significant number of voters choose NOTA, political parties are not obliged to change their candidates or policies.

Conclusion

• NOTA provides voters in elections with a mechanism to express their dissatisfaction with the candidates on the EVM. It serves as a symbolic tool to promote accountability and transparency in the electoral process. However, critics argue that NOTA's effectiveness is limited since it doesn't have any legal consequences and doesn't affect the outcome of the election.

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Source:

Indian Express

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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The use of money power and the role of undisclosed funding sources in elections have been long-standing issues in Indian democracy. What measures can be taken to bring greater transparency and accountability to political funding? Discuss the feasibility and challenges of implementing state funding of elections or stringent caps on individual and corporate donations.