Voters can now go to the polling booths with another option at their index fingertip. They can use the “None Of The Above” button to cast a negative vote and voice dissatisfaction with all candidates seeking to become legislators, thereby rejecting an entire field of dubious candidates.
The Supreme Court has empowered the voter in this way, but this is by no means a revolutionary step because our first-past-the-post election system still means that even if “NOTA” is ahead of all other candidates, the one with the most votes would be adjudged the winner.
Also, the option to express an aversion against all candidates already exists in the 49(0) option, but a voter now has to register his name on a form and cast such a vote on paper. The NOTA option on EVMs will give such voters much-desired anonymity.
A sweeping reform will have to be considered if this option is really to be empowered, and repolls ordered wherever NOTA “beats” all other candidates. As the Chief Justice noted, “negative voting would lead to a systemic change in polls, and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates”. But unless the poll laws are changed, NOTA will have little real value.
A far more significant and sweeping reform is in the air if the Supreme Court’s directions on rendering convicted people ineligible to stand for election are enforced as law. That process is not yet complete as the government has responded to the court’s direction with an ordinance. Voters and NOTA will have to wait for greater clarity.