1/27/2017

490,NoneOfTheAbove(NOTA)andRightToReject(RTR)ClearIAS

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49-0, None Of The Above (NOTA) and Right To Reject (RTR)

Difference between49-0, None Of The Above (NOTA) and Right To Reject (RTR): It
should be noted that recent judgment bySupreme Court on the demand to provide for
negative voting through a button on the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for None of
the Above or NOTA option does not correspond to Right To Reject.

What is NOTA?
NOTA stands for None Of The Above.

What happens if NOTA gets majority in an election?

Nothing. If NOTA gets majority, that will
not translate to re-election or to a
condition where the constituency remain
vacant, as NOTA is not the right to reject.
The next candidate with maximum votes
will win the election. So then what is the
use of NOTA?
NOTA is the right to register a negative
opinion, in secrecy, at the age of electronic voting. The NOTA votes will be counted as
invalid votes. NOTA encourages voters toexercisetheir voting rights. It also avoids false
634voting in the names of those who dont turn up. But the clue here issecrecy, which
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was not available with 49-O.

633Aapart

from the secracy aspect, NOTA will put pressure political parties to nominate only

good candidates, as if the number of invalid votes increase, it can de-balance their
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calculations.

What is rule 49-O?

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1/27/2017

490,NoneOfTheAbove(NOTA)andRightToReject(RTR)ClearIAS

According to Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 rule 49-O says that Elector deciding not to
vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of
voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required
under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall
be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or
thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.

Also read: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies for Vulnerable

Sections
The difference between 49-O and NOTA is that 49-O does not provide secrecy.But having
said that, the best option was right to reject. Then what is it?

What is Right To Reject (RTR)?

Right To Reject is a condition when Rejection/Negative Votes win majority, it results in reelection.

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