Context:
In Indore, NOTA (None of the Above) emerged runner-up with more than 200,000 votes
NOTA (None of the Above):
- Used for the 1st time in the 2013 Assembly elections in 5 states – Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh
- Introduced later in the 2014 General Elections.
- NOTA option is meant only for universal adult suffrage and direct elections
- Current status – Election Commission clarified that votes cast as NOTA are counted, but are considered ‘invalid votes’.
- Even if NOTA receives the highest number of votes in a constituency, the candidate with the next highest number of votes is declared the winner.
- Benefits –
- Provides voters an option to reject all running candidates, signaling their disapproval of the available choice
- Incentivises greater participation in the democratic process of voting.
- Compels political parties to nominate better candidates.
- Also practiced in countries such as France, Belgium, Brazil, Finland and Sweden
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and by-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. According to Article 324, the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may form a time-to-time fix.
Statement 2 is not correct. Election Commission of India decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and by-elections.
