Vijayawada: The fact that the Nota (None of the Above) option would not have any effect on the results is disappointing first time voters of the city.
When the Election Commission announced that None of the Above would be introduced in polls, it was the youth who had pinned hopes on it. Many believed that Nota would reform the process of electing candidates, but as of now, voting for Nota is of no use but just a loss of time and effort.
The fact is, it does not give voters the right to reject candidates, but only allows them to air views about the candidates. Social networking websites were flooded with youths expressing their views on voting for Nota after being let down by unworthy contestants.
Many who thought of going to the voting booth as a waste till Nota was introduced, say that it has no impact, and that the vote would be considered as invalid.
“Opting for Nota only expresses the views of voters but do not affect the candidate who gets a majority,” says J. Rajiv Nithin, a student. “Even if a majority votes for Nota there would be no impact, as pointed out by the Eelection Commission, because even if re-election is held with new candidates there is no guarantee that people would not again vote for Nota,” said Nithin.
The winning candidate will still be one of the rejected candidates.
“If there is no Nota, and if it does not have any impact on candidates or the results, then there is no use standing in line and voting,” said Md Shameem, a graduate.
However, None of the Above is not available in the municipal elections that are being held on Sunday, but it would be available for both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
