New Delhi, April 26: Election authorities in the
capital have decided to record the number of voters using the
option of "refused to vote" in the Lok Sabha elections.
"We do provide the option to the voters deciding not to
vote for any candidate. But since the EVMs do not have button
for such a choice, the presiding officials have been
instructed to provide the voter Form 17 A where there is a
column for entering such a decision," an election official
said.
He elaborated, "A remark to the effect that he has
decided not to record his vote -- Refused to Vote -- shall be
made by the presiding officer in the remark columns against
the entry relating to him in the register of voters under Rule
49 O during the V-day."
He said the option was available to the voters last Delhi
Assembly elections also but the number of voters exercising
the option was not counted.
"This time we will ensure that the details are recorded
for record sake," the official added suggesting that it can
help in knowing the voter`s mind as well.
However, the option not to vote for any candidate does
not have any impact on the result.
"This does not mean that an election will be invalidated
if the number of such voters is more than the candidate`s
victory margin," the official said.
Bureau Report
