Latest news with #NOTA
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Votes ‘Bought' For Siddaramaiah? BJP MP Seeks Probe Into 2018 Badami Election
In a letter to the CEC, Lahar Singh Siroya urged the commission to take cognizance of ex-JDS state president CM Ibrahim's 'revelations of gross electoral corruption' A political storm is brewing in Karnataka following revelations by former Janata Dal (Secular) state president, CM Ibrahim, about alleged vote buying during the 2018 assembly elections. The issue has been brought to the fore by BJP Member of Parliament Lahar Singh Siroya, who has formally petitioned the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to investigate the matter. In a letter to the CEC, Siroya urged the commission to take cognizance of Ibrahim's 'revelations of gross electoral corruption". The controversy stems from a video clip of Ibrahim, a prominent political figure, where he claimed to have 'purchased" 3,000 votes for chief minister Siddaramaiah, who was contesting from the Badami constituency. Speaking at an event in Mysuru, Ibrahim recounted a conversation with Siddaramaiah after his lead had dwindled significantly. 'His lead came down from 10,000 to 1,000. I told him he will win by 1,000 odd votes, we took a loan and we have purchased 3,000 votes. I have no fear telling this," Ibrahim stated. He also claimed that Siddaramaiah had paid for the purchase, albeit six months later. Siddaramaiah, in response to the allegations, distanced himself from Ibrahim's claims. 'Is CM Ibrahim in our party? It's a different matter that we were together then," he said, downplaying his association with Ibrahim during the 2018 elections. Siddaramaiah also stated that he had only campaigned for one day in Badami after filing his nomination. The numbers from the 2018 election add a layer of complexity to the situation. Siddaramaiah's victory margin in Badami was a narrow 1,696 votes. Notably, the number of NOTA (None of the Above) votes cast was 2,007, exceeding his victory margin. This was also the election where Siddaramaiah lost his traditional seat of Chamundeshwari. In his letter, Siroya highlighted Ibrahim's prominent role in the Congress party in 2018. 'Ibrahim was a prominent Congress leader in 2018, and by all references and claims, was in charge of his friend's election," Siroya wrote. He further called on Ibrahim to 'do us a great favour if he tells us how, and from whom, he purchased the 3,000 votes to save his friend". The BJP MP emphasised the gravity of the situation, noting that the allegations come from a former lawmaker and Union minister. Siroya's letter seeks a thorough investigation by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ascertain the facts and hold those responsible accountable for what he terms 'electoral corruption". The development has brought the 2018 Badami election back into the spotlight, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process. view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 15:48 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Supreme court to look into legality of NOTA for voters in uncontested polls
The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it will look into whether the option of NOTA (None of the Above) vote could legally be given in constituencies where there is an 'uncontested' election with only one candidate.'The issue is that the invisible will of the people should be allowed to be exercised. If there is only one candidate and voters don't like him shouldn't they be allowed to vote? I believe this is a very interesting proposition,' observed the bench of Justice Suryakant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N Kotishwar Singh on observation came from a petition filed by the NGO Vidhi Center for Legal Policy and the intervention plea filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which have challenged the polling process for 'uncontested' elections under section 53 (2) of the Representation of People Act. The petition had sought a declaration that the NOTA option should be available to voters in case there is only one contesting candidate for an election. The petition has argued that after the introduction of the NOTA option in polls since 2013, the 'Right to vote' of the electorate was being violated in situations where only one candidate contested the petitioners also submitted that while there was a sharp decline in uncontested seats in the Lok Sabha elections after 1989, there are several instances in State assembly elections when a candidate is elected unopposed. The figure is even higher at the level of Panchayat/Local body elections. During the brief hearing on Thursday, the bench noted that the averments by the petitioners seem to seek 'an extension of the NOTA principle.''If there is only one candidate and people still go and vote NOTA, then it shows there is so much resentment against the candidate,' suggested Justice government and the ECI, however, vehemently opposed the General R Venkataramani, during the hearing, informed the bench that, due to rare situations where an election is uncontested, 'this is an academic exercise.' The Attorney General also submitted that the court would have to 'see how far NOTA can be stretched.'Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, for the ECI, also argued that "if people are so unhappy with the candidate, they can field their own candidate." Dwivedi also submitted that Advocate Harsh Parasher, appearing for Vidhi Legal however, said that the matter affected the people's right to choose their representative.'This has happened in Vidhan Sabhas more than 290 times in the last few years. In Arunachal Pradesh, in the 2024 polls, 6 seats were uncontested,' said Parashar. The counsel also submitted that the rules should allow countermanding an election if the NOTA votes are polled in an "uncontested" election. "What will happen then?" asked bench then observed that if the NOTA is accepted and an election is countermanded, it is likely that political parties would field different candidates in the bypoll."I think all parties will field candidates. In India, we also have independent candidates. It's rare to have an uncontested election. That's why the AG says it's an academic exercise," noted Justice Prashant Bhushan, appearing for ADR, also pointed out that some states have brought in rules for Local Body elections that if NOTA votes are more than votes for a winning candidate, then the election is countermanded and a fresh election can be held. The ECI counsel, however, argued that the local body polls, held under the state rules, are legally different from the State Assembly and Lok Sabha polls that are held under the RP Act and ECI hearing has for now been adjourned to November 6 as the affidavit filed by the central government on Thursday was not available on the court record at the time of the Centre and the ECI, in their affidavits, have opposed the plea, submitting that Section 53 of the RP Act and Rule 11 of the Conduct of Elections Rules specifically lay down the process for an 'Uncontested Election.'advertisementIn its affidavit filed on Thursday, the central government argued that 'there is a difference between the 'Right to Vote' and the 'Freedom of Voting' under the Constitution,' which has been recognised by the Supreme Government has further argued that NOTA cannot be included as a 'candidate' in the election, as the law clearly defines the procedure depending on the number of candidates in the election. According to the Center's affidavit, 'NOTA is merely an opinion or expression,' and therefore cannot be substituted as a 'candidate' as per the procedure prescribed under Section 53(2).- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NOTA can't be treated as candidate, Centre tells SC
NEW DELHI: A day after the Supreme Court found it worth examining whether 'NOTA' could be deemed a rival in a constituency where a single candidate is in the fray, the Centre strongly opposed the reasoning on Friday and said NOTA, being a mere option or expression, cannot be given the status of a candidate either statutorily or constitutionally. "NOTA option is not a person which has been duly nominated at any election and, hence, cannot be held to be a candidate under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 'NOTA' ought not to be given an artificial personality. 'NOTA' is merely an option or an expression and does not fit within the definition of 'candidate'," the ministry of law and justice said in affidavit. Petitioner NGO 'Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy' had pointed out that in case of an election in which only a single candidate contests from a constituency, Section 53(2) of RP Act automatically declares the said candidate elected without holding the poll. This denies citizens the right to vote against the said candidate by opting for 'NOTA', which is a facet of their fundamental right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) exercised through voting. The ministry said that the right to vote, which is a statutory right and not a fundamental right, arises only in a situation where a poll involving two or more candidates in a constituency is held. The 'freedom of voting' is incidental to the 'right to vote' in 'the poll' under Sec 62 of RP Act, it said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lone candidate in fray? SC weighs NOTA option
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a proposal to make 'none of the above (NOTA)' choice available to voters even when a single candidate is in the fray to enable them to express their approval of him/her, and countermand the elections if NOTA votes exceed votes polled by the candidate. Despite Centre and EC terming NOTA, put in place based on SC's 2013 judgment, a failed idea for the poor response it received from voters, a bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N K Singh said, "It is an interesting question. It is true that elections in India are keenly contested. But imagine a situation where the voters do not want the single candidate in the fray, who would otherwise be elected unopposed, to be their representative in the assembly or Lok Sabha?" Justice Kant added, "If there is resentment among voters against the single candidate, then the voters will come out in numbers and choose NOTA. If NOTA votes exceed the votes garnered by the single candidate in the fray, then what should be done? This may be academic, but a very interesting question which may require judicial deliberation." Attorney general R Venkataramani said it was purely a non-plausible concept in the Indian context. For EC, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said NOTA had never impacted an election since its inception. Every winning candidate has so far got higher votes than NOTA even though some of the losing candidates had secured less than NOTA votes, he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo by Taboola by Taboola However, he said EC would scrupulously conduct elections as mandated by law and the orders of the SC. Additional solicitor general S D Sanjay asked the bench what would happen if an election was countermanded because of NOTA getting more votes than the single candidate in the fray, and a similar situation emerged in the fresh election. Responding to a PIL on the issue filed by 'Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy', EC in its affidavit said candidates getting elected unopposed from a Lok Sabha constituency was very rare. Since 1991, there has been only one such instance, Dwivedi said. "Since 1971 till today, that is in the last 54 years, there have been six uncontested elections in total. In the 20 general elections since 1951, there have been only nine uncontested elections," he added. "Treating NOTA as a mandatorily contesting candidate in all direct uncontested elections does not find place in the statute and the same would require legislative amendments in the provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961," EC said.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NOTA clocks more votes than independent candidates in Ludhiana West bypoll
In a clear display of public discontent, voters in Ludhiana West bypoll preferred the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option over all eight independent candidates and two regional parties Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the National Lok Seva Party (NLSP), registering a strong disapproval for lesser known political alternatives. NOTA emerged as the fifth most preferred option among the voters, ranking just behind the main contenders such as AAP, Congress, BJP, and SAD. (HT Photo) According to figures released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 793 voters pressed the NOTA button, accounting for 0.87% of the total vote share. This is slightly more than the combined votes received by all the eight Independent candidates in the fray, which stood at a mere 776. Notably, in this four-cornered contest dominated by mainstream political parties, NOTA emerged as the fifth most preferred option among the voters, ranking just behind the main contenders such as AAP, Congress, BJP, and SAD. Among the prominent candidates, AAP's Sanjeev Arora secured a large win with 35,179 votes, followed by Bharat Bhushan Ashu of the Congress who garnered 24,542 votes. BJP's Jiwan Gupta polled 20,323 votes, while SAD's nominee Parupkar Singh Ghuman stood fourth with 8,203 votes. In contrast, independent and small party candidates miserably failed to make an impact. Albert Dua Anu was the highest vote-getter among them, receiving just 280 votes out of total 90,160 which accounts for just 0.31% of total vote share. He was followed by Jatinder Kumar Sharma of the National Lok Seva Party with 173 votes (0.19%) and Navneet Kumar Gopi of SAD (A), who got 171 votes (0.18%). In addition to this, the performances of other independent candidates also remain negligible, where they struggled to cross even 0.2% mark. Among these, social media personality Neetu Shutteranwala polled 112 votes whereas the sole woman candidate in this fray, Renu, secured just 108 votes. The most educated candidate in the contest, Baldev Raj Katna, a postgraduate in electrical engineering, polled a mere 102 votes, and Rajesh Sharma received 87. At the bottom of the list remain Pawandeep Singh (39 votes), Paramjit Singh Bharaj (27 votes), and Gurdeep Kahlon (21 votes), each drawing less than 0.05% of the total vote share. The NOTA option on EVM machines, was introduced in 2013 which allows voters to officially record their dissatisfaction by choosing not to vote for any of the candidates on the ballot.
