New Delhi, May 15: Noting that voters have keenly opted for their "right to not to vote" during General Elections, the Election Commission has asked the state election officials to compile such numbers along with counting of votes on Saturday.
"We have received communication from the Election Commission to send the number of voters who have exercised the 49 (O) option in general election on May 7 in the national
capital," deputy chief electoral officer JK Sharma told reporters.
He said like Delhi, similar directions have been communicated to other states as well in this regard.
In Delhi, a total of 851 of the electorate exercised the 49 (O) option in General Elections. The highest number was from the posh New Delhi constituency, where 178 voters registered their protest.
Data available by the Delhi Election Commission says that New Delhi was followed by West Delhi where 164 voters exercised the option. In East Delhi, Chandni Chowk, North-West, South and North-East Delhi constituencies, the numbers stood at 153, 130, 130, 50 and 46 respectively.
Sharma said, the 49 (0) option allows a voter to vote for nobody by leaving a remark in the main register at the polling booth and signing it.
"The provision is part of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which means each polling officer needs to be aware of it," he added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, May 15, 2009, 21:09