The 2003 assembly elections introduced the NOTA option in India.
Abbreviated as None of the Above, NOTA was introduced in four states of India, including Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
NOTA is a favourable option for the voters to express their lack of confidence or non-acceptance of the candidates.
In the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs Government of India case, the Supreme Court directed the use of NOTA in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.NOTA was given as an option in 2009 but without an electoral value.
Since its introduction, NOTA won a greater number of votes than other candidates in many elections.
NOTA was introduced for the Rajya Sabha elections in 2014.
Article 326 of the Indian Constitution guarantees that every citizen of India above the age of 18 has the right to cast a vote.
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