WEB DESK
The ratio of voters opting None of the Above or NOTA option in recently-concluded Maharashtra assembly elections has seen a rise compared to 2014 polls.
In the October 24 verdict, the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena managed to retain power but ceded considerable ground–the saffron allies collectively lost 23 seats–to rivals NCP and Congress.
The analysis shows 7,42,134 voters opted for NOTA as against 4,60,741 votes who had chosen this option in 2014 polls. Collectively, the NOTA percentage stood at 1.35 per cent of the total votes cast as against 0.91% of the previous assembly polls. The NOTA option, which indicates voters’ disenchantment with candidates in the fray, secured second place in two constituencies which are the pocket borough of political heavyweights in the state, which comprises 288 Assembly seats.
The NOTA option, however, does not impact the results of the elections. The NOTA option was first introduced in Maharashtra in the 2014 elections, following a Supreme Court verdict a year earlier.
The apex court had then observed that negative voting will lead to a systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates.