Awareness on NOTA negligible

VIJAYAWADA: The much talked NOTA, none of the above option, has apparently failed this election. The Election Commission and authorities seemingly did not take initiative in creating appropriate awareness on NOTA. The voters, who were looking for the NOTA, on the posters pasted outside the polling stations were a surprised lot as the NOTA option was not printed on it. However, the NOTA option was made available on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The young and first time voters, who were keen on the NOTA, point out that the EC has not take enough measures to popularize the option. Srivatsa, who cast his vote at a polling booth in Polytechnic College, pointed out he was surprised to note that the posters outside the polling booth carried names of contestants only. It gives an impression to the voter that there was no NOTA option. “Really it is surprising why the officials have not taken a step in that direction,” he said.

The young voters blame it on politicians. The people would have noticed had it been publicized properly and mentioned on the sample ballot paper. “Politicians want us to vote, so no one will put their money towards publicising the NOTA option. No one will market or sell this option across any media, be it social or traditional,” says S.Ramya, a voter in Krishnalanka.

While this is the first time it has appeared on the EVMs, people are not noticing it as they have been conditioned to choose one of the parties, she added.

“The authorities should have put up the banners on the NOTA near polling stations. It would helped the voters in realizing its importance,” says Relli Banarjee Kumar, 29, a voter in Gudivada Assembly constituency.

NOTA was passed in a landmark judgment when Supreme Court of India took into account the need for NOTA option while voting on 27 September 2009. The idea was to increase participation so people would enter the election process and make their voices heard. But, the purpose defeated with lackadaisical attitude of the officials, Ms. Ramya added.

EOM