5 things to know about SC's judgement on right to reject

Voters can now reject all candidates in fray by choosing None Of The Above

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court Friday said that for a vibrant democracy the voter has the right to negative voting by rejecting all the candidates in fray by exercising the option of None of the Above (NOTA) in EVMs and ballot papers.

Here are the five things you should know about the 'right to reject':

 

1 The SC order rules right to reject a candidate is a fundamental right. However, the right to vote remains a statutory right. 

 

2 Uncertainty surrounds on the likely course, in case majority of the candidates vote for ‘none of the above’. Also, constitutional experts will have to ponder over SC’s decision of making right to reject a fundamental right, while maintaining right to vote as a statutory right. 

 

3 The order of the SC will apply in the upcoming assembly elections in five states – Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. 

 

4 Under Rule 49-O of the The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, a voter can ask the presiding officer to record that he is unwilling to vote anyone. 

 

5 In 2004, the then election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy had recommended to the government that ’the law should be amended to specifically provide for negative / neutral voting.’