India introduces 'Right To Reject' a major electoral reform

When the country is in need of some major electoral reforms it is the Supreme Court but not the Parliament that came to the rescue...

In its landmark judgment Supreme Court gave the people to show their dissent upon the candidates participating in the elections. Today SC ordered Election Commission to add a None Of The Above (NOTA) button in its EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) for the elections to be held hereafter along with the five assembly elections to be held next month. In its judgment SC stated that “if right to vote is a statutory right then right to reject candidates is a fundamental right of speech and expression under the constitution”.

NOTA which is also known as negative vote or Right to reject is a major electoral reform needed to change the current electoral processes and for a better political culture in the nation. This is not the first time where this right is going to be exercised. This provision is available in 13 countries world over. This provision in the electoral process paves the way for a true democratic participation and exercise of one’s opinion without any hesitation.

Right to reject empowers the people to exercise their opinion to choose not to vote to any of the candidates participating in the elections. This can change the voter participation scenario in the country. People can turn in and cast the negative vote to show their dissent in the elections. This forces the political parties to field in candidates of clean image. If the majority vote share goes to the NOTA it clearly embarrasses all the political parties participating in the elections. Thought the candidate having the majority among the participating candidate still wins the elections.

The Election Commission has to take major steps to rein in the opportunity. A mass communication campaign has to be undertaken to let every voter know about this provision and exercise their opinion. People should use this opportunity to start changing our democratic processes and fight for a better future.