Election Commission issues instructions to introduce 'None of the Above' option

The Election Commission on Saturday issued instructions for Chief Electoral Officers of states and Union Territories to introduce the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option during the polls to enable voters to exercise their right to not to vote for any particular candidate while maintaining secrecy.

The commission has decided to introduce the 'None of the Above' option in forthcoming assembly elections in the five states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram.

In its historic judgement earlier on September 27, the Supreme Court directed that the said option be included for voters on EVMs and ballot papers.

Voters in all the five states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh will for the first time have the choice of 'None of the above option' to reject the candidates contesting the election in a constituency.

The elections will be held in Chhattisgarh on 11th and 19th November. While in Madhya Pradesh, the polls will be on 25th November and in Rajasthan on 1st December. The election in Delhi and Mizoram will be held on 4th December.

Counting of votes in all the states will take place on 8th of December.