Should voters be given a NOTA (None Of The Above) choice?

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187 comments Page 19 of 19.

Riya Teepa said:   8 months ago
In my opinion, the NOTA (None of the Above) option should not be included in elections because it diminishes competition among candidates.

For instance, if the difference in votes between the winner and the runner-up is very small, the votes cast for NOTA could have been redirected to another candidate. This would increase the chances of the most deserving or accurate candidate winning the election.
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Gnanapriya said:   5 months ago
In my opinion, NOTA option is not required.

Even though NOTA is chosen, the second majority party is declared as the winner.

Instead of that, there should be a rule that every citizen should know the laws and amendments of the nation in especially the candidate, and only educated candidates should be permitted for nomination.
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Ayush Singh said:   4 months ago
Seeing the massive percentage of vote shares for NOTA, I think people must be free to not choose anyone at all.

This will flash a message to the politicians that people aren't finding any of them eligible for the healthy democracy. In this way, NOTA seems to be safeguarding the right of freedom to not choose. Even by not choosing, people are choosing. So essence and soul of the electoral process is more secure in the due process.

CDT. Anurag Singh said:   4 months ago
Keeping in mind the interest of public. Nota should be given as option to them So that they can show up their neutral interest. It can also seek the attention of competing parties what they can rectify in their style so that they can gain this NOTA vote shares. As NOTA shares have crucial role in election.
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ASHWANTH V K said:   3 months ago
As NOTA shares have a crucial role in election. People will take it so casually, and select NOTA as a choice for some silly reasons, like their caste people haven't got a ticket.
Every coin has two sides. NOTA has both pros and cons. NOTA indicates the level of dissatisfaction among the people.
Let's take an example: if there are 4 candidates, and consider a person (x) who thinks all 4 are undeserving candidates, so he presses the NOTA option.
NOTA will develop the economy.

V VIGNESHSWARRI said:   2 months ago
According to me, The option for nota must be given if more then 60 percent of voters opted for Nota then election must be repeated. Otherwise, Nota option must not be given.

Geershati Saxena said:   1 month ago
Hello everyone,

Today, we are discussing a very important and relevant topic “Should voters be given a NOTA, or None Of The Above, option?”.

The introduction of the NOTA (None of the Above) option in elections marks an important milestone in the evolution of democratic participation, as it empowers voters to express their disapproval of all candidates if they believe that none are deserving of their vote. In a true democracy, the right to choose should also include the right to reject, and NOTA provides citizens with that very power. It reflects political awareness, responsibility, and a desire for change, encouraging people to participate in elections rather than abstain out of frustration or disappointment. When a significant number of voters choose NOTA, it sends a strong message to political parties that the electorate demands better leadership, clean candidates, and ethical governance. This, in the long run, can motivate political organisations to prioritise merit, integrity, and transparency while selecting their representatives. Moreover, NOTA gives a sense of satisfaction and honesty to voters who do not wish to compromise their principles by voting for the “lesser evil. ” However, despite these advantages, NOTA has some major limitations. Its biggest drawback is that it currently has no legal or practical impact on election outcomes; even if NOTA receives the highest number of votes, the candidate with the next highest votes still wins, rendering the protest largely symbolic. There are no provisions for re-elections or disqualification of candidates in such cases, which dilutes the effectiveness of this option.

Furthermore, there is also a concern that some voters might misuse NOTA casually or without proper awareness, which could weaken its purpose. Nevertheless, NOTA remains a powerful democratic tool a moral compass that reflects the public’s conscience and holds the potential to make India’s electoral system more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the true will of the people.
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