Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore(SHS)
Mangalore, Mar 30: Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union (DKDWJU) president P B Harish Rai on Sunday March 30 said that there is no difference between opting for None of the Above (NOTA) and abstaining from voting.
He was addressing a public voting awareness programme organized by JCI wing, Bellare at Central Market here. A street play was held to create awareness on the importance of voting.
P B Harish, further said, "Some people have stepped forward to campaign about NOTA which could be detrimental in the elections. NOTA cannot be an option for the voter. The voter should exercise franchise by voting for an individual rather than choosing the new option."
The Election Commission of India had told the Supreme Court in 2009 that it wished to offer the voter a "None of the Above" option on the ballot machine, something that the government had generally opposed. The People's Union for Civil Liberties, a non-governmental organisation, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in support of this. On September 27, 2013, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the right to register a "None of the Above" vote in elections should apply, noting that it would increase participation.
Past zonal president, Aravind Rao Kedige, said, "Voting is the right of each citizen of India. To make India better, people should turn out in good numbers on April 17. Junior Jaycee is organizing the street play to propagate awareness to the public, which is a laudable effort."
Members of the JCI, Bellare staged a street play, 'Namma nade boothinede' (Our walk towards election booth) to create awareness on the voting rights among the people.