Voters explore the ‘right to reject ’ TNN

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Voters-explore-the-right-to-reject/articleshow/11370681.cms

LUCKNOW: The Anna-effect has increased the curiosity in 'right to
reject' among voters in UP. There are queries coming up, on how to use
the provision and what difference will it make to the election
results. The Election Commission, too, will focus on the training of
the presiding officers on the use of the particular clause, along with
other things, during elections.

The right to reject is well within the reach of voters, provided they
exercise it. Clause 49(O) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,
gives voters the right to exercise their franchise and yet not vote,
in case they do not find any of the candidates on the ballot list,
suitable. "The voter can take this decision at the last moment," said
a senior official of the election commission.

It is well within the contours of the law to say 'no' to vote. People
can visit the polling booth, complete all the formalities and come out
without casting the vote. "In that case also a person will get the
mark of ink on his finger," said the official, thus signifying that
the person has very much used his 'right to vote'.

However, when asked if the EC has any figures available on the number
of people, who decided against voting in the past election, the
official said, "there is no compilation of any such data." The
information on such voters is also confidential.

Meanwhile, in UP, voters are curious about the provision. "The voters
want to know how to use it," said Urvashi Sharma, a social worker,
educating voters in Bareilly. The EC has roped in NGOs to increase
voter awareness in the state. However, the use of provision is not
without the stumbling blocks. "In several previous elections, we have
observed that it is the lesser knowledge of presiding officers about
the clause, which makes using it a cumbersome process," said IC
Dwivedi, state coordinator, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR),
UP.

Many a times, we get queries on the provision from the educated voters
also, and when they are told about the process, they get discouraged,
he said. However, when asked about this, the election commission
officers said that all the presiding officers, before going to the
polling booths, will be given a proper training.

Besides, it's the fear of one's identity being revealed that might be
holding the voters back from exercising the right not to vote'.

A person dreads to be singled-out, particularly, in his locality, and
might not use it. But, more awareness on it can do away with the
inhibitions, feel social activists.

The no-votes do not impact the overall outcome of the election. People
wishing to exercise clause 49(O) have to also declare their intention
to the presiding officer of the polling station. The reason given by
the voters are also monitored.
If there are more than 50% no-votes, the constituency would go for
repoll. "When told about this, people get slightly discouraged," said
Sharma.

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- Urvashi Sharma
Right to Information Helpline 8081898081
Helpline Against Corruption 9455553838
http://yaishwaryaj-seva-sansthan.hpage.co.in/