NOTA Breaks Record in Indore: 2.18 Lakh Voters Reject All Candidates

In a historic turn of events, a record-breaking 2.18 lakh voters in Indore opted for the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option during the Lok Sabha elections. Introduced in 2013, this option was chosen by 14.01% of the total voters, highlighting increasing voter discontent.

In an unprecedented electoral development, Indore witnessed a record-breaking 2.18 lakh voters choosing the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission's data reveals that 14.01% of the total electorate expressed their dissatisfaction by selecting NOTA, a choice introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive.

The previous highest NOTA tally was recorded in Bihar's Gopalganj during the 2019 parliamentary polls, where around five per cent of voters, tallying at 51,660, chose the option. Similarly, Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris saw 46,559 votes cast for NOTA in 2014, nearing a five per cent share.

Indore's NOTA votes count stood at an unprecedented 2,18,674 as BJP's Shankar Lalwani secured a landslide victory with 11,75,092 votes, as per the Election Commission. Lalwani's closest competitor from the BSP, Lakshman Solanki, garnered 51,659 votes.

The Congress had urged voters to choose NOTA after their candidate, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrew from the contest, effectively removing Congress from the race for this esteemed seat. Bam eventually joined the BJP.

Former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat recently noted the 'symbolic' nature of NOTA, indicating it would become legally impactful only if it secures more than 50% of the votes in any seat. Rawat suggested that such an overwhelming use of NOTA could compel Parliament and the Election Commission to reconsider current electoral laws.