Along the lines of my previous post, as I mentioned that I preferred voting for a candidate instead of a party, Srikanth’s comment on the previous post, left me surprised.
There is actually an article in the Constitution that says you can formally and officially choose to not vote for anyone.
Here are the exact words from the website of the Law Ministry http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/subord/cer1.htm
(2) The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form 14A of all cases
under this rule.
49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his
electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters
in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as
required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his
vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in
Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb
impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.
For a first time voter like me, the question of whether this system will be misused also arises. Though the presiding officer needs to write down our names and get our signature, I have my doubts about whether this system is free from malpractice.
It isn’t clear as to whether you will get the mark of ink on your finger, as you have technically chosen to vote, for nobody.
Take a look at this piece on Jaagore http://www.jaagore.com/issue/readComment.php?id=1538
This piece says you can get your finger marked.
It also says that if in a particular ward there are 49 or more votes for “nobody”, then that polling will be cancelled and repolling will be held.
“…the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them…”
This above line is a little unclear as I do not know if any particular candidate cannot recontest or all candidates.
For me, this entire system itself is an eye-opener. I am quite surprised the media has not highlighted this point.
I am glad that now I at least have the option of not voting for any these jokers.
Makes me rethink about the whole ‘voting for a party or a candidate’ thing.
Vaish,
Yes, I have read and heard about this 49-0 section…..and I think its great that you did mention it in your blog since many people are not aware about it. I hope we do make use of our rights if we do not find any capable leader.(Its better not to have one, rather than having one who is replica to an IDIOT BOX)
Way to go!!!!