NOTA a ‘Flop Show’ in Kashmir

Voters here are committed ones: Experts

Srinagar: The much hyped None of The Above option (NOTA) that was introduced in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) turned out to be a flop show in Kashmir as the people here seem least interested in pressing that ‘strange’ button.

NOTA was also given much hype in Kashmir as several experts termed it synonymous to the referendum- claiming that the option could show a clearer picture of Kashmir to the outer world. As the polls were held Kashmir valley on April 24 for Anantnag and April 30 for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, while monitoring the elections, observers found NOTA option a failure as the people were either voting for their favorite candidates or staying indoors. One case among ten thousand was reported that pressed the NOTA option that too just  without actually knowing about the button. Dr Gul Mohammad Wani, who teaches political science in Kashmir University, told KNS that the reason behind NOTA failing to attract voters is that the voter in Kashmir, is always a committed one. He could either vote for a particular party or boycott the polls. Dr Gul remarked that a voter here in Kashmir risks his life to move towards the polling booth and when he does it, it seems bizarre that he wastes the same. “A voter would either vote for a particular party or boycotts the election. He could never waste his ballot.” Interestingly, terming the introduction of NOTA option in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the state during the polls in JK, the separatist leadership had unanimously termed it an ‘irrelevant’ option.  Also, senior Congress leader and Medical Education Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din had said the move should not be introduced in the State as the same could strengthen the separatist elements here at large. “Government of India (GoI) should move the Supreme Court to prevent the implementation of NOTA in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir and North-East,” Taj had stated at a function here. He also had written a letter to the Prime Minister and the Congress high command that the option of NOTA should not be applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, as it would be used by separatists in anti-election campaign. (KNS)