Question

Q. With reference to the None of the Above (NOTA) option in India’s election system, consider the following statements:

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• A.
  1 only
• B.
  2 only
• C.
  Both 1 and 2
• D.
  Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

The correct option is B

2 only
Explanation:

The NOTA option has been made since the 2013 General Election to the State Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, NCT of Delhi and Rajasthan.

Statement 1 is incorrect:
NOTA will not provide Right to Reject rather it gives Right for not to vote. This is because

1. The NOTA votes will not be taken into account for calculating the total valid voters polled by the contesting candidates for the purpose of return of security deposits to candidates.
2. Even if the number of electors opting for NOTA options is more than the number of votes polled by any of the candidates, it will not affect the result of that election.

Statement 2 is correct: The NOTA option was introduced by the Election Commission of India on the directions of the Supreme Court because the SC said NOTA option should be provided so that voters are able to exercise their “right not to vote while maintaining their right of secrecy” and also to eliminate non-serious candidates.