Vrindavan, 2017.11.16 (VT): Voters from Vrindavan may opt for NOTA in the coming election for the civic body due on 26th November. Activists are urging voters not to vote for any candidates, but to press the NOTA button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
NOTA stands for “None of the Above.” It an option available on the ballot in some jurisdictions in India, which allows a voter to show his or her disapproval of all the candidates. It is a powerful symbolic instrument that allows voters to express resentment against candidates contesting in elections, or against government policies.
A strong sense of resentment lingers amongst voters of all political parties in Vrindavan, after the state government merged the municipalities of Vrindavan and Mathura to form a new Municipal Corporation. They feel that the unique identity of Vrindavan has been compromised by the state government.
Some of Vrindavan’s youth have taken up a campaign to sensitize voters about the harmful effects of merging the two cities. They argue that none of the representatives of the state government consulted citizens before taking such a grave decision.
The campaign commenced in social media shortly after the election commission notification. Particularly, youths from the ruling party are showing resentment against the merger of Mathura and Vrindavan. They say that they worked hard to help the party’s candidates win the legislative election as well as parliamentary election, but their hopes were later crushed by the leadership.
Many are unhappy with the distribution of tickets by political parties, and they oppose the reservation of the mayor’s seat. Local activists are raising public awareness through public address and social media about the importance of exercising their right to vote.
“We advise voters to exercise caution against the arbitrary actions of the government. The voters should not boycott the poll on any account. Using the ‘None of the above’ (NOTA) option, you can register your rejection of the contesting candidates,” advised a senior trader using his Facebook account. (JP)
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