Lack of Nota option disappoints voters
Many voters who prefer Nota to the candidates in the fray have decided not to go to the polling booth
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-14 06:55 GMT
Coimbatore: Nota (None of the Above) option is not included in the electronic voting machines for the mayoral polls scheduled for September 18 in Coimbatore. Govindammal Rangasamy (63) of Podanur is quite disappointed. Govindammal visited the corporation office thrice and lost count of the number of petitions she filed to receive widow’s pension. She was keen on recording her “protest” by pressing the Nota button in the mayoral polls in the city on September 18.
Many voters like her who prefer Nota to the candidates in the fray have decided not to go to the polling booth at all. S. Arumuga Pandian, a resident of Echanari, has a different reason for not exercising his franchise. He is a member of the AIADMK Ilaignar Pasarai for the last five years. After the death of his son five months ago, he has not received any support from the party and the accident relief was not given so far.
“I am tired of writing applications and visiting officials. I respect my party and work for Amma. But I am depressed at the treatment meted out to me,” said Arumuga Pandian when other cadres were getting ready to welcome AIADMK mayor candidate Rajkumar at Echanari on Saturday. “If Nota button was available I would have chosen that option. This time I will not vote,” he said.
Returning officer and Coimbatore corporation commissioner S. Ganesh said the byelection is being conducted based on the guidelines followed in the 2011 local body elections. “Nota button, included in the 2014 parliamentary elections, will not be available this time. Nota option cannot be provided for the byelection to the civic bodies. We have been informed by the state election commission to follow the 2011 guidelines,” he told Deccan Chronicle.