From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 30: When Karnataka’s grama panchayat polls are conducted in June across the State, the voters will have the option to exercise the provision of NOTA (None of the Above) while exercising their franchise.
The introduction of NOTA option is a first of its kind measure in the rural local body elections.
The State Election Commission will introduce option of NOTA in the Electoral Voting Machines (EVMs) for the panchayat elections, which are contested on non-party lines.
The Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act 2015, has incorporated the provision for NOTA in elections to the rural local bodies.
"If election commissioner makes a suitable provision, the qualified voter shall cast his vote in favour of none of the candidates contesting at the election, in case where he does not vote cast his vote in favour of any candidate," the Act says.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil, who held discussions with a delegation of legislators from Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, said elections would be held in two phases for GPs in June.
Incidentally, voting is being made mandatory in GP polls also for the first time in the State.
However, the new Act does not prescribe any action against those failing to vote.
The minister said the objective of compulsory voting was to encourage people’s participation in elections and functioning of local bodies.
"Based on the experience of polling in GPs, the Government will consider imposing penalty or punishment on those fails to vote in the next elections," he said.
A total of 22 countries have introduced compulsory voting and only 10 countries imposed penalty on those who failed to vote.
Patil said more publicity would be given to compulsory voting to ensure high turn out during the GP polls.
The state election commission would also be urged to set up more polling centers to ensure peaceful polling.
Experts believe that compared to previous elections, voting would be 10 per cent more in the coming GP polls.