None of the Above (NOTA) option on the ballot paper is unlikely to be included in the upcoming Presidential election according to a senior official from the National Election Commission. According to him, it would not be possible to include the NOTA option where voters can cast a vote of discontent on all contesting candidates in the upcoming election as it involves major amendments to the Election Act in the country.
“To allow the NOTA option to indicate that the voter does not prefer any candidate, the present model of the ballot paper needs to be changed. That can only be done through a legal amendment passed in Parliament,” the senior officer said.
He explained that the specifics of a specimen ballot paper is mentioned in each electoral Act. “If this is to be changed all those Acts must be amended,” he said.
Acknowledging that there is an ongoing public discussion on the necessity to include the NOTA option, he said it is likely the option would be incorporated into the electoral laws eventually.
“But I am not sure if this can be done in a hurry,” he said.
However, India introduced the NOTA option following a Supreme Court ruling in September 2013 where the Court directed India’s Election body to make this option available to the voters. The official said in such a case NEC can do it without a Bill being passed in Parliament.
In certain western countries, if the NOTA option obtains more votes than the candidates, the election officials have powers to cancel the election and call for fresh elections. But the dismissal of the winning candidate in this manner is still not an option in India.