Is NOTA the Best Option for Voters Dissatisfied with Candidates?

Recently, Swaraj India’s, Yogendra Yadav on 21 April appealed to the people of Delhi to opt for NOTA this election.

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NOTA or 'None of the Above' introduced in 2013, is a ballot option which a voter can choose instead of casting their vote to any of the contesting candidates during an election.

It was during the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014 that NOTA was used for the first time in a general election. Since its introduction, NOTA has gradually gained prominence and prior to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, had became a hot topic.

Recently, the National president of Swaraj India, Yogendra Yadav on 21 April further appealed to the people of Delhi to opt for NOTA, which he said meant “No Till an Alternative.”

While some say NOTA is a good alternative for those who aren’t impressed with the option of the contesting candidates, others claim that during a crucial election, one shouldn’t waste their precious vote.

Speaking on the issue, BloombergQuint’s Tamanna Inamdar was joined by former election commissioner OP Rawat, founder member of ADR, Jagdeep Chhokar and senior journalist Madhavan Narayanan on Primetime Debate on Monday, 29 April.

Initiating the discussion, Rawat said that since 2013, the laws on NOTA have not been amended and currently, it only represents a “symbolic” gesture that voters are unhappy with the contesting candidates.

However, the former chief election commissioner claimed that the share of NOTA votes are declining.

Reiterating Rawat’s claim, Chhokar also agreed that the laws since its introduction have not been amended, but said that idea of NOTA was to compel political parties to nominate “sound candidate.”

“When political parties realise that a large number of people are expressing their disapproval with the candidates, there will be a systemic change and they will be forced to the will of the people.”

Jagdeep Chhokar

When asked whether NOTA makes sense or not, journalist, Madhavan Narayanan responded saying despite the criticisms, it remains a crucial entity in a democracy.