Voters get " Right to Reject" all candidates in elections

IndianMascot

IndianMascot

Core Member
In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Friday gave the citizens of India the right to reject all candidates in elections.

Hearing a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties, an NGO, the apex court ruled that the Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs should have a button that will allow the voters to choose "none of the above" option.

The bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that voters should be allowed to reject all candidates standing in an election in his/her constituency.


 
Technoglitch

Technoglitch

Core Member
There was already an option of No vote but we have to make an entry on why you dont want to vote along with your address.
 
IndianMascot

IndianMascot

Core Member
No Vote is different from " Right to Reject " bro. If more than 50% votes count will be " None of the above " , Re-election will be scheduled for that constituency


Here are the top 10 developments:

  1. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam asked the Election Commission to make changes in voting machines and ballot papers, giving voters a "none of the above" choice, and publicise this change widely.

  2. The court observed that negative voting would lead to systemic change in elections and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates. It also held that this will "foster purity and vibrancy in elections." Reading out the judgement, Justice Sathasivam said, "Democracy is all about choices and voters will be empowered by this right of negative voting. Negative voting will send a clear signal to political parties and candidates as to what the voters think about them."

  3. Voters in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram - where Assembly elections are due in November - will have the right to reject option.

  4. Right now, if a voter goes to a polling booth and does not want to vote for any candidate, he can sign a register and come out. That violates the right of secret ballot.

  5. There is no provision yet to count the "rejection" votes and so these will not impact the result of the election. Activists have proposed that if more than 50 per cent of those who vote reject all candidates, there should be a re-election in that constituency.

  6. The court upheld the argument of petitioner, the People's Union for Civil Liberties, an NGO, that a voter has the right to record disapproval of all candidates listed.

  7. The Election Commission had supported this stand. It had recommended that the government amend rules to include this, but that had not been done.

  8. The Centre had opposed the proposal. It contended that an election is meant to elect and not to reject. It also argued that including a rejection button will confuse voters and will not serve any purpose.

  9. Gandhian activist Anna Hazare had campaigned extensively for poll reforms that would include both the right to reject and the right to recall an elected representative if the electorate is dissatisfied with his or her performance.

  10. Political parties have not made their stand on right to reject clear yet. The BJP had asked for a detailed debate. The Left had sought clarity on what purpose it hoped to serve.


    Supreme Court gives voters right to reject all candidates in a poll | NDTV.com
 
IndianMascot

IndianMascot

Core Member
Because all parties know that citizen who don't have to vote will never bother to take the pain of going to polling booth to exercise this option.

So, they are still safe about their situation.
 
Mazi

Mazi

EntMnt Contributor
This option also considered by Election Commission of Pakistan in last Elections in July 2013

I think due to these corrupt politicians they Withdraw this option
 
IndianMascot

IndianMascot

Core Member
But in India its a law now as order has been issued from Apex Court. Unless there is an ordinance, we have the " right to reject".
 
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