Nota:SC seeks guidelines from EC on Nota 

The Capital News

New Delhi: April 26: The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide guidelines regarding the ‘none of the above’ (NOTA) option after a petition was filed seeking the declaration of elections as void if the maximum voters choose NOTA.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued a notice to the ECI, stating, “We will examine. Will issue notice. This is about the electoral process too.”

The petition was filed by motivational speaker Shiv Khera, advocating for election results to be declared null and void in any constituency where NOTA receives the highest number of votes.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, highlighted a recent incident in Surat where no election was held due to only one candidate being present.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel stressed the importance of voting even if no candidate opposes an incumbent or withdraws from the race, emphasizing the significance of the NOTA option.

The petition also proposes a five-year ban on candidates who receive fewer votes than NOTA, aiming to hold them accountable for their performance and promote a more conscientious approach to electoral representation.