Summary:
All this can happen only when the electorate has the option of boycotting candidates by exercising the NOTA option. Panaji: Votes registered under the 'none of the above' (NOTA) option this assembly election surpassed those polled by 69 candidates in 28 of the state's constituencies, including aspirants belonging to established parties.Congress candidate Ramkrishna Jalmi, for instance, polled 429 votes as against 448 votes under NOTA in Priol. I knew it wouldn't make a difference, but I wanted to exercise my right to vote. I feel the reasons for pushing the NOTA button should also be taken into record by the Election Commission (EC)," he told TOI.The NOTA option was introduced by the EC to enable electors, who didn't wish to vote for any of the candidates listed, to exercise their right to vote. "There should also be a review process every year by which non-performing candidates can be recalled..