MP Assembly polls to have EVMs with NOTA option

In view of the Supreme Court empowering voters with the right to reject, forthcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections will see electronic voting machines (EVMs) having a separate button for electorate not wishing to vote for any of the candidates in the fray.

According to an official release on Tuesday, by pressing this button, voters will be able to use the option of ‘no-voting’ with secrecy.

By opting for ‘none-of-the-above’ (NOTA) button, they will be able to exercise their right to reject all candidates contesting the polls.

'None-of-the-above' shall be printed in a separate panel on the ballot paper below the name of the last contesting candidate.

This ballot paper shall be affixed on the ballot unit of the EVM. If the voter presses the button next to 'none-of-the-above', his desire not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray will get recorded in the EVM with secrecy.

The Election Commission will also make appropriate changes in part-2 of Form 17C used during counting and the result sheet in Form 20 to separately compile the number of persons who use the option not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray.