A lot of young people and first-time voters have taken to social media saying that they shall make an effort to vote in the upcoming General Elections. They shall vote NOTA (none of the above) to change the system.
But NOTA is not the way to go. To change the system you need to first understand the system, my friend.
So here are five basic things you need to understand about NOTA and why it wont help you bring change in India:
- NOTA means you chose none of the candidates standing for elections. And it is “recorded” by the electronic voting machine (EVM).
- NOTA does not have any legal or constitutional validity to affect an election—it simply is a moral win! Thw NOTA count, however high, will not stop the election results from coming out, or skew the outcome in a way you think it will.
- NOTA simply shows disatisfaction, which is your right. But in the present format of elections, it is equal to not casting your vote at all.
- Election results are counted on the number of “valid votes” cast. And NOTA isn’t a “valid vote” to be counted for a win or defeat. NOTA numbers just reflect opinions.
- You cannot take “max number of NOTA cast” case to court as it has no legal validity. NOTA doesn’t have any legal sanction.
A lot of debate goes on heatedly about NOTA and the unfairness of the electoral process.
So my friends, if you wish to change India and your electoral power, you need to enter in the political scene by casting a “valid vote”.
And if you further wish to be involved, then you should enter electoral elections yourself!
NOTA isn’t an option. Today as things stand it’s just wasting your vote! So chose to cast a “valid vote” instead.