There is an interesting provision in the Indian voting system, as per a 1969 act, in section “49-O” of code of conduct of elections.
As per this, a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn’t want to vote for anyone!
Now, why should anybody go to the polling booth and say “I DO NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR ANYBODY”?
Simply because it can make a difference.
“Not voting” and deciding to “not vote for anybody” are two different things as per the constitution.
The decision to “not vote for anybody” prevents your vote from being misused. Also, it can alter the course of an election result even after a candidate has won a majority of votes.
If the number of people using the “49 O” option is greater than the winning candidates vote margin, then the election results would be null and void. Not only that, the candidature of the contestant would be removed and they cannot recontest, since people had already expressed their decision on them.
This way, if >50% people decide to use this option, then this means people do not have faith in any candidate who is contesting the election. The political parties would have to then either propose new candidates for the next elections who are acceptable to public or it may pave a way for new independent candidates.
This would instill some fear inthe political parties who would look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This could change the way of our whole political system.
Showing your power expressing your desire not to vote for anybody is more powerful than voting , so don’t miss your chance.
So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and you can do your share to improve India’s political system.
For those who know Tamil, there is an article about this at http://www.keetru.com/ohpodu/Oh_Podu.pdf.
Please pass the word on to everybody you know.
49-O specifies that the voter can register as “Not willing to Vote” category.
But it does not say that poll will be cancelled if the % of such voters are higher than any limit.
The second page of the Tamil article I have posted does state that the poll will be cancelled. If you think about it logically, if the poll is not cancelled, a 49-O vote is practically useless other than being just a measure of dissatisfaction. But in reality, 49-O is a powerful tool that can influence the results. Check it out yourself from http://www.eci.gov.in.
Well that is a good idea. However what would happen incase I vote for all on the ballot paper. Don’t I make my mark the same as the above and be further sure that it is registered as a null/void vote.
You may execise your right of unwillingness to vote, but that could get manipulted with a bit of corrupt officials. However I do understand that corruption could end up in booth capturing too.
hi
i would like to know which ACT of 1969 are to talking about?
can u provide me the source
If this is trure, then why not successive election commissioner had popularised it?
What r the evidences that this law is exixting?