Pros and Cons of NOTA During Elections

Author - Associate Runa Jasia

Vote is a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands. Voting is not just about voting in any elections but it can happen during any contest in schools, music reality shows, dance reality shows etc. Through voting people express their choice according to their knowledge and their point of view. Amount or number of votes decides who will be the winner of that particular contest. But there is a provision provided by the Government of India which is called as NOTA (None of the above). In NOTA, citizens of India can choose to vote by not giving a vote to any political candidate. It means that if a person does not want to vote for any political party then they can vote as NOTA. Technically, they are giving a vote but to nobody. NOTA is like going neutral. 

Eligibility to cast a NOTA or vote

• The person must be a citizen of India.

• Must be 18 years old or above

• Names must be mentioned in the electoral roll of nearby polling fields or respective areas in India.

• Must have a voter ID card.

• NRIs are also allowed to vote but there are some terms and conditions (through proxy voting method they can vote as according to the People  Amendment Act 2010). People working outside India or residing outside of India can also vote.

The Election Commission of India is responsible for administering the voting process in India. Voting is done by EVM (Electronic Voting Machines) in the electoral poll areas in the presence of poll officers.

During the last years, NOTA has gained popularity in the whole country and many people are tending to vote in NOTA. There are many effects of the NOTA during the elections. These consequences have pros and cons in their own way. According to Wikipedia, ECI has stated that "Even if, in any extreme case, the number of votes against NOTA is more than the number of votes secured by the candidates, the candidate who secures the largest number of votes among the contesting candidates shall be declared to be elected.” So no matter if the number of votes in NOTA is more than the actual number of votes favoured in political parties. Candidates gaining the maximum number of votes will be declared as the Winner. ECI stated in their official website “The procedure for the method of voting is provided under Rule 37A of CE rules 1961, as made applicable under rule 70. “ So if a person decides to go for NOTA, then they cannot vote for any other political party. Before, the use of ballot paper was done. Now in the EVM machine voters can press the button against the NOTA symbol. A red tiny light will glow and a long beep sound can be heard as a confirmation that NOTA has been done. 

Pros and Cons of NOTA in points:

Pros/Advantages of NOTA can be:

• One of the major advantages of NOTA is It gives privilege to all the citizens of India to choose not to vote for any candidate. It gives the right to freedom.

• It could be possible that the most eligible and honest candidates would get elected. 

• More people will come to vote. This increases the polling percentage as people who do not want to give vote to anybody can also go to polling booths and give vote is also an advantage of NOTA. 

Cons/Disadvantages of NOTA

• One of the disadvantages of NOTA is If any person selects to vote as NOTA, their selection for NOTA will not remain a secret. As during giving vote to any political party, it remains a secret even from the polling officer. But in this case one has to inform the polling officer and then they can go for the NOTA option.

• Many people say that NOTA option is a waste of vote and a waste of time. 

• If more than half of the population goes for NOTA then the elected winning candidate is not a choice of all the people of the country. As the rules say that even if the number of NOTA is very high, even then the candidate who achieved the maximum number of goals will win. There is no rule in such cases which is also a disadvantage of NOTA.

• It can influence other people to do the same. People decide who to vote on based on their knowledge and choices. But if they see everybody is going for NOTA, then in one way or the other it will negatively affect other people around them. They will start doubting their choice is another disadvantage of NOTA.

Generally, there are not many effects of NOTA during the elections. Few people think that it is a waste whereas few people think that it provides democracy to all the citizens of India to vote as per their choice. It depends on how people view it.  Political party is not concerned more about NOTA but about winning.

Refer our other article related to above - "What Are The Different Types of Elections in India?"