ECI informs HC on steps taken on NOTA option

The Election Commission of India today informed the Madras High Court that it had already taken steps to popularise 'None of the above' option, printing it in English and Tamil on ballot papers and electronic voting machines.
The ECI through its senior counsel G.Rajagopalan submitted that voters who do not like to exercise their franchise in favour of any candidates can register their vote in the column specifically approved by it as NOTA in the ballot paper/evm.
He further submitted a copy of a press release issued by the ECI saying that it has approved a rectangular depiction with round corners, with black background and NOTA written in capital letters in English.

He further submitted that in the case of Parliamentary elections for which the ballot papers are in white colour the word 'NOTA' will be written in white in capital letters in English and in Tamil version of "None of the above' as 'Merkanum Nabargalil Evarumillai.'
A PIL was filed by an Advocate Sathiachandran in which he suggested to popularise 'NOTA' among public.
With regard to the suggestion of the petitioner to provide a symbol in EVMs for NOTA, the senior counsel said "the suggestion made by the petitioner in this regard will be considered."
When the matter came up, the First Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Sathish K. Agnihothri and Justice M M Sundresh, recorded the submission and closed the PIL, saying "nothing more survived in it.