Should we have ''no one'' option on the voting ballet in case we don't want to caste our vote to anybody ?

Question

There should be a option to not to caste our vote to anybody. We all know that we should use our power and right to vote but what can one do if he/she founds that their candidate is not capable enough to elect. I think in that case ''no one'' option will be quiet useful. If ''no one'' have maximum votes then candidates should be called off and reelect the candidates.

Answer 1

hi everyone,
If we talk about today's scenario sometimes we face such a situation when we find that the candidates are not capable enough or not trust worthy, in this type of situation the voter should have a right to express their opinion. If they will not get the chance to do so the wrong candidate may be chosen and for that ultimately the voters will have to suffer.

One more thing is that, if voter will be given such a chance the political parties would become more care full in choosing their candidates. In that case no political party will give tickets to any person having a crime record. As a result we will get more capable and literate candidates in future.

So I think that voters should have an option like this, because INDIA is a democratic country and as we all know that democracy is " For the People-By the people-To the People"

Answer 2

The framers of our constitution had lot of foresight when they wrote the same. Many countries are incorporating such a provision in thier constitution now.

But the Indian Constitution already have a provision (Section / Article number which I do not remember) for a recall, which unfortunately an average Indian voter is unaware of. By invoking such a section / article, the Election Commission can provide such a option and maximun votes or polled against the option, then the electoral process for such a seat has to be recalled and the candidates in foray cannot re-appear for the next re-election.

Answer 3

Yes. There is a option already there. If you don't like all candidates in the list then there is a option there. You go and tell the appropriate people in the booth, I am not ready to cast my vote to any of the people listed here. Then they will give you form for this. Fill the form and send to the appropriate people.

But it is really risky to do this. Because so many political people from various parties are there in the booth. They may be attack you. If you are bold enough to do this then go ahead.
The Government should give extra protection for this kind of people.
I read this in "The Hindu" paper but i forgot the name of the option.

Answer 4

We should have no one option where there is no good candidate to vote for. All candidates have in ballot list with criminal background. It facilitates reelection with fair candidates comes into the field of election and gets elected. This option will be helpful to elect candidates with good background. Cast away candidates will not come into election fray and voting turnout would be increased fairly.

Answer 5

Yes we must have that option so that we don't need 'inni mini go '
dilemma when we wish to exercise our franchise but aren't sure of the right candidate.
However such choice should count for less like0.34 to 0.63 of a vote of choice.
This will be reasonable that asserts one's distrust of leaders to be but not enough for a blackmail tactic to stall election.
At least an uncontested candidate's mandate, communication gaps, voter lethargy & organized boycott get in rough perspective.

Answer 6

Yes.
This gives us a chance to oppose the candidates who are in the election fray. Permit to exercise our voting rights and teach a lesson to the candidates. Accept the system---democracy but oppose the bad candidates

Answer 7

At present negative votes are not prevalent. However, Election commission has stated that a voter can fill up a form at the election centre stating his unwillingness to vote in favour of anyone. This practise would avoid misrepresentation in voting system.

Answer 8

Yes the matter is being debated for along time but the problem is to enact this into system you need politicians and obviously they are unwilling to take such steps.
To achieve this as also mid-term no confidence vote in elected representative you need ethical will which is missing in most politicians.

Answer 9

Here is some information for you on several nations and states that have "None of the Above" option on their election ballots:

None of the Above (NOTA) is a ballot choice in some jurisdictions or organizations, placed so as to allow the voter to indicate his disapproval with all of the candidates in any voting system. The similar term for awards is No award (commonly nicknamed Noah Ward).

Entities that include "None of the Above" on ballots as standard procedure include the United States Libertarian Party, the Green Party, Nevada ("None of these candidates"), Ukraine ("Against all"), and Spain (votos en blanco). Russia had such an option on its ballots ("Against all") until it was abolished in 2006.[1]

When "None of the Above" is listed on a ballot, there is the theoretical possibility of NOTA receiving a majority of the vote cast. In such a case, a variety of formal procedures may be invoked, including having the office remain vacant, having the office filled by appointment, re-opening nominations or beginning the election process again (in a body operating under parliamentary procedure).

In Nevada, the actual candidate with the greatest number of votes assumes office regardless of how many votes "None of the Above" gets. Thus "None of the Above" acts purely as a repository for protest votes.

The Green Party of California included NOTA in its original 1991 bylaws, to offer voters a choice of rejecting all candidates presented. After one round of successful elections in which a candidate in Southern California and all gubernatorial candidates were retired after the primary by NOTA, a lawsuit promulgated by the California Secretary of State led to the disallowal of NOTA in Green Party primaries.

In 2004, the Oklahoma Green, Libertarian and Constitution parties endorsed a "NOTA" campaign for President that was organized by Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform. The campaign called for voters to leave the Presidential ballot line blank in protest of restrictive ballot access laws.

Ralph Nader ran as a NOTA candidate and supports the NOTA option as a method of voters to withhold consent and to initiate a new round of elections.

In elections where "None of the Above" is not an option, a ballot is usually regarded as spoilt if a voter decides to cross the entire ballot paper, or leave it blank.

Answer 10

Wow, there are a lot of answers here, but you can always cast a protest vote and vote for all of them!