What if NOTA, the 'virtual candidate' wins?

Commander (Retd) PG Bhat 23 May 2014

In Tamil Nadu's 25 out of 27 constituencies, whose details are available, only three to six candidates have scored more votes than NOTA or none of the above option

Electors can reject all the candidates by pressing a button marked 'None of the Above' (NOTA) in Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). This was introduced for the first time in the recent Loksabha elections after a Supreme Court judgement.

Like many others, I wondered if people would use this option or abstain from voting when they do not trust any candidate. I also suspected that very few voters would know about and understand this option. Pleasantly, I am wrong!

So far only Tamil Nadu has published Form-20, that too only for 27 out of 39 parliamentary constituencies. Count of NOTA in these constituencies ranges between 4,150 and 46,559; 0.42% to 5% of the total votes polled. The graph below shows the counts of NOTA in different ranges:

In 25 out of 27 constituencies, 0.5 to 2% of the total votes polled are NOTA. In Nilgiris, from where A Raja of the 2G spectrum scam contested, 5% of the voters (46,559) have chosen NOTA. This is a significant number. Here, only the winning candidate and the runner-up have got more votes than NOTA. In other constituencies, irrespective of the number of candidates, which varied from eight to 38 in a constituency, only three, four, five, or six candidates have scored more than NOTA. People have clearly rejected the candidates rather than voting undeserving.

In the coming elections more people may choose NOTA. Winning margins in Tamil Nadu have been huge in most of the constituencies and NOTA count is not anywhere close to the winning margin. This may not be the case in other states. This may not be the case in future elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) does not have a policy on actions based on such data. When large numbers of citizens reject all the candidates, and if that is not actionable information, meaning of the option dilutes. By exercising such option in the first opportunity, voters have sent a message to the aspirant politicians and the ECI. We hope for some action from the ECI.

NOTA is a virtual candidate. If this candidate wins, we certainly need a new election because NOTA cannot physically represent the people. For social scientists, it would be relevant to study why such virtual candidates score much higher than most of the real candidates in the field. For example, in Nilgiris, NOTA was third, polling significant 5% of votes. Citizens are conveying something. If we listen and act, we will improve the democratic process and social stability.

(Commander (Retd) PG Bhatt is a retired naval officer, an educationist and a social worker.)

Comments

User

Dr Paresh Vaidya

1 decade ago

Of all the constituencies, exactly the one with Mr A Raja has the highest NOTA vote share of
5% clearly gives the message. NOTA opponents should agree that people are serious about NOTA.

DAVINDRA SINGH

1 decade ago

NOTA signifies a rejection value. Hence it deserves to have a value of one negative vote =[-1].
THUS +ve votes scored by every contestant should be deducted by the count of NOTA votes in that constitueny to arrive at the NET POSITIVE SCORE of every candidate.

Net Vote [ Vn = Vp - Vnota ]

This tells that -

* forefietedness of "deposits" should be decided on the basis of net vote "Vn".
* if Vn = -ve, it will make the ellection "Null & void".
* Means :- Fresh "Re-ellection" not simply "Repoll".
* Means :- "Re-nomination(s)" of present contestant(s) is/are already rejected.
* Means :- All contestants put under ban to re-contest.
* Means :- Fresh nominations for fresh re-election.
* Means :- Political parties must also be penalizes for the financial burden imposed for such re-election.
* Means :- Pol-Parties will be discouraged against nominating undeserving candidates.
* Means :- Political improvement