BJP meets EC to discuss removal of NOTA

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that a board of members has met the Election Commission over the removal of NOTA or 'None of the Above' options for voters, on Wednesday.

Addressing the media here, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that during the Rajya Sabha elections NOTA was put up in the ballet paper, which created a lot of confusion.

"Rajya Sabha elections are indirect elections where original feeling is that NOTA will harm the Rajya Sabha elections, and so we have demanded that NOTA tatkal should be ended and so that fair elections can take place," he said.

The None Of The Above (NOTA) option will be available for the first time in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat.

The MLAs, who would cast vote in the August 8 Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat, will have the option of NOTA.

The Congress has been protesting since the Election Commission has notified that NOTA option will be available for the first time in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat.

The party will also issue a whip to all MLAs, including Shankersinh Vaghela, who resigned last month to ensure that Ahmed Patel is voted back into the Rajya Sabha.

Despite its six Gujarat MLAs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress is leaving no stone unturned to secure Rajya Sabha berth for its leader Ahmed Patel.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput against the lone Congress candidate Ahmed Patel.

Rajya Sabha elections do not take place by secret ballot as the voter has to show the marked ballot to the party's polling agent before putting it in the ballot box.

Congress Party on Wednesday moved Supreme Court against 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option in Rajya Sabha elections. The court is likely to hear the matter on Thursday.