During the Haryana Assembly elections, the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option gained significant traction in nine Assembly segments of Karnal and Kaithal districts, surpassing the vote count of 40 candidates in these seats. The support for NOTA reflects a sense of discontent among voters, who chose to reject all candidates who were in the fray in these segments.
In Karnal district, there are five Assembly segments – Karnal, Indri, Assandh, Gharaunda and Nilokheri, where 2,380 voters opted for NOTA. In Kaithal district, which comprises four Assembly segments –Kaithal, Guhla, Pundri and Kalayat — 1,838 voters cast their ballot for NOTA.
In the Karnal Assembly segment, 845 voters cast their vote in the favour of NOTA, surpassing the vote count of eight candidates. In Nilokheri, 345 votes were cast for NOTA, which was higher than the votes received by seven candidates. In Indri, NOTA garnered 428 votes, surpassing those polled to a candidate. In Gharaunda, 456 people chose NOTA, outvoting two candidates. In Assandh, 306 voters opted for NOTA, surpassing the number of votes polled in favour of three candidates.
Kaithal district’s Guhla Assembly segment saw the maximum number of NOTA votes, with 702 voters rejecting all candidates, surpassing the vote count of two candidates. In Pundri, 229 voters opted for NOTA, surpassing the vote count of five candidates. In Kalayat, 393 people chose NOTA, which was more than the votes polled by five candidates. In the Kaithal Assembly segment, 514 people selected NOTA, surpassing the votes of seven candidates.
Political analysts said as political parties analyze these results, they may need to reconsider their candidate selection strategies to address voter concerns and restore trust in the electoral process.
2,380 voters opted for NOTA IN KARNAL
In Karnal district, there are five Assembly segments —Karnal, Indri, Assandh, Gharaunda and Nilokheri — where 2,380 voters opted for NOTA. In Kaithal district, which comprises four Assembly segments — Kaithal, Guhla, Pundri and Kalayat — 1,838 voters cast their
ballot for NOTA.