Residents seek ‘none’ option

Not satisfied with the past record of any of the candidates contesting from Rajouri Garden, members of the RWA now want the Electronic Voting Machines to include an option of “none of the above”, reports Naziya Alvi.

Not satisfied with the past record of any of the candidates contesting from Rajouri Garden, members of the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) now want the Electronic Voting Machines to include an option of “none of the above”.

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Residents believe this option would help filter out unworthy candidates.

“Right to vote contains within it the freedom to choose. By not giving us this option the system is restricting the electorate to a limited number of candidates whether it wants them or not”, said Naveen Kumar Matta, President Southern Rajouri Garden Friends Association.

Other RWAs also agreed with the idea. Pankaj Aggarwal, President, Safdarjung Enclave RWA said the right to chose should come with the right to reject.

Jaiprakash Narayan, an activist who runs Hyderabad-based NGO Loksatta that has been vocal on the issues related with the election reforms, however, said the issue is complex.

“In a diverse country like India, it might not be an appropriate step. Also its implication needs several technical changes in the rule, which is a complex task”, said Narayan.