“Without a NOTA button in EVMs, TN local body polls aren’t free or fair’

Chennai, Feb 19 : Anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, Convenor Jayaram Venkatesan on Saturday registered his unwillingness to vote in the Tamil Nadu urban local body poll here.

He was protesting against the Tamil Nadu State Election Commissions move of not having the "None of the Above (NOTA)" button in the electronic voting machines (EVM).

Polling for urban local bodies began at 7 a.m.across the state."As a mark of protest against the undemocratic move of the State Election Commission to reject our fundamental right to vote with secrecy by not having NOTA in EVM, I registered my unwillingness to vote as per Section 71 of the Election Rules," Venkatesan said.

He said a voter while voting has every right not to opt for any of the candidates during an election.Right to reject has its origin in freedom of speech and expression.

ది ప్యారడైజ్ లో నాని లుక్ వెనుక అసలు కథ ఇదేనా.. ఈ షాకింగ్ విషయాలు తెలుసా?...

Not including NOTA in EVMs is violative of our fundamental right as well as Supreme Courts judgement, Venkatesan said.According to him, without the NOTA button, the poll cannot be called free and fair.

vj/shb/ The right to refuse is rooted in the freedom of speech and expression.The absence of NOTA in EVMs is a violation of our fundamental rights and the Supreme Courts decision, Venkatesan said.

According to him that, absent the NOTA button the poll cant be considered fair and free.