LS 2014 polls: Voters have NOTA option

Shillong, November 18:  The general elections to the Lok Sabha in 2014 will be different from all the previous elections as the voters for the first time in the history of democratic India will have the option to chose the ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) button in the Electronic Voting Machines. Ngos in Meghalaya had demanded the inclusion of this particular clause that was missing during all the previous elections.

With this new option, voters will now have the option to vote for ‘None Of The Above’ (NOTA) if any voter does not want to voter any of the contestants.

However there are no specific directions from the Election Commission as what will happen in case if NOTA option gets majority of the votes. State election department officials, however, believe that there has to be a re-election for the particular constituency where NOTA gets majority vote

For the coming Lok Sabha election, the Meghalaya election department is targeting to enroll as many as forty five thousand new voters in the ongoing enrollment drive for the Lok Sabha elections slated early next year.

Speaking to newsmen, official of the election department said the final roll publication for the election would be prepared by January 5.

In Meghalalaya, Lok Sabha elections would be held for Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats.

When inquired about the alleged enrollment of dubious voters that has being  raised by civil societies the election department officials said that the department welcomes any objection of “D” Voter in the enrollment list and such objection can be raised with the district election officer.

Officials assured that to check the inclusion of any “D” voters into the list, the election returning officers are taking various precautions.- By Our Reporter