Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 16: A total of 31550 electorates exercised the None of the Above (NOTA) option in Jammu and Kashmir during the Parliamentary elections.
This option was provided to the electorates by the Election Commission for the first time during the Lok Sabha elections. The option was first made available in the Assembly polls in five States last year.
Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency witnessed maximum number of electorates exercising the NOTA option followed by Anantnag and Srinagar Parliamentary constituencies.
According to the figures of Election Commission, 10478 electorates exercised NOTA option in Udhampur-Doda constituency, 5936 in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, 4979 in Srinagar constituency, 4568 in Baramulla segment, 4382 in Jammu-Poonch seat and 1207 in Ladakh.
It is pertinent to mention here that the EVMs were having the NOTA option at the end of the candidates’ list. Earlier, in order to cast a negative ballot, a voter had to inform the Presiding Officer at the polling booth. However, a NOTA vote doesn’t require the involvement of the Presiding Officer.
Before the NOTA option came in existence, people casting negative votes were required to enter their names in a register and cast their vote on a separate paper ballot.
Under Section 49 (O) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, a voter could enter his electoral serial number in Form 17A and cast a negative vote. The Presiding Officer would then put a remark in the form and get it signed by the voter. This was done to prevent fraud or misuse of votes.
However, this provision was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court as it did not protect the identity of the voter.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has failed to woo the voters in Jammu and Kashmir with its candidates getting only 6523 votes.
The AAP had fielded its candidates from only Anantnag and Srinagar Parliamentary constituencies. It’s candidate from Anantnag Parliamentary constituency secured 3252 votes while as party’s candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seats bagged mere 3271 votes.
Follow our WhatsApp channel