use your Right to NOT vote

I was listening to one of the common debates these days - should we blame the government?

Its we who elect them, then why on earth should we blame them? Valid point!

Now, what could be done? Choose your rulers wisely! sigh, the problem is right there! We chose someone from the lil lot we have! What if we dont like anyone who is competing? What if we consider every candidate a looser? What if all major political parties give us their worst people?

All these questions where running through my mind when I visited my friend. The answer was right there in his post.

So what is it?

As per the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1969 Act, in Section 49-O, a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked, and convey to the presiding election officer that he/she doesn’t want to vote for anyone! 

As seen on a government site: 

ELECTORS DECIDING NOT TO VOTE

41. If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the Register of Voters (Form 17A) and he has put his signature/thumb impression on that register, decides not to record his vote, he shall not be forced or compelled to record his vote. A remark to the effect that he has decided not to record his vote shall be made in the remarks column against the entry relating to 116 him in the Register of Voters by the Presiding Officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark under rule 49-O. It shall, however, not be necessary to make any change in the serial number of the elector or of the succeeding electors column 1 of the Register of Voters.

If you think none of the candidates at the ward / constituency are able enough to lead the community, you can always opt not to vote. If you will use this right of yours you may start a new trend in our electoral process, which will further strengthen our democracy.

How does it help?

In a ward or constituency, if a candidate wins, say by ’xyz’ votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 'xyz', then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled.Not only that, the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people have already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election.

So next time its election, do visit the polling booth. India's future is in out hands.. Show the political parties that its WE, THE COMMON PEOPLE, who elect them and put them to power. Their strength is OUR faith in them and will power. Its time WE take a decision, for our own good, for the good of the nation. Use your rights.