The voters in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)area will have an option to register their disapproval the candidates in the fray. The government today amended the Municipal Act related the conduct of Elections to include the ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option in the electronic voting machine (EVM). If the candidates are not liked by the voters, or if they do not wish to vote to any of the candidates in the contest, they can register their disapproval by pressing None of the Above (NOTA) button. An approved symbol will also be provided for the benefit of voters at the bottom of EVM.

It may be recalled that the Election Commission of India had introduced ‘NOTA’ – ‘None of the Above’ option on ballot papers displayed on EVMs and all other ballot papers with effect from 11th October, 2013, pursuant to Supreme Court’s Order dated 27th September, 2013.

The Election Commission of India has now introduced a specific symbol, like other election symbols, shown below, for ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ option, to facilitate the voters in exercising their NOTA option. This symbol will now appear in the last panel on all EVMs and the others ballot papers against the ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ option at all elections to be held from now onwards. The necessary instructions have been issued to all the Chief Electoral Officers in this regard.

The main objective of the ‘NOTA’ option is to enable electors who do not wish to vote for any of the candidates to exercise their right not to vote for any candidate without violation of the secrecy of their decision.

The symbol for ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ option has been designed by National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad.
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