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SC gives voters right to reject candidates
 R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, September 27
In a judgment that can catalyse an electoral revolution, the Supreme Court today directed the Election Commission to give the voter the right to reject all the contesting candidates if he finds none of them “worthy of his vote,” thereby, forcing political parties to field only those “who are known for their integrity” and ensuring “proper governance of the country.”

When political parties realise “that a large number of people are expressing their disapproval with the candidates being put up by them, gradually there will be a systemic change and the parties will be forced to accept the will of the people and field candidates who are known for their integrity,” a three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said in a 51-page verdict.

“For a democracy to survive, it is essential that the best available men should be chosen as people’s representatives for proper governance of the country,” the SC explained.

The apex court said the voter could be facilitated to cast his negative vote by providing one more button on the electronic voting machine (EVM) called “None of the Above” (NOTA).

NOTA button

  • The SC said the voter could be facilitated to cast his negative vote by providing one more button on the electronic voting machine (EVM) called "None of the Above" (NOTA)
  • The EC could implement the order in a phased manner or at one go, the SC said
When political parties realise that a large number of people are expressing their disapproval with the candidates being put up by them, the parties will be forced to field candidates who are known for their integrity.
— SC Bench

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Modi hails SC order
Manas Dasgupta

Narendra ModiAhmedabad, September 27
The Gujarat Chief Minister and the BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi today welcomed the Supreme Court’s directive to the Election Commission to give voters the “right to reject”.

Modi said he viewed it as a great step towards future electoral reforms and making the country’s democracy more vibrant and participative. The order would have a long lasting impact on the country’s polity, he said , adding that it would send a strong message to the political parties and would make them more responsible towards selecting the right candidates.

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi advocated for the introduction of compulsory voting too along with the right to reject and said he was not surprised that “some political parties” were not happy with the apex court’s order.

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