DO YOU KNOW?

There is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O"that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!Yes, such a feature is available, but obviously nobody has ever disclosed it. This is called “49-O ".


RULE 49-O is a Rule in The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which governs elections in India. It covers the procedures to be followed when a valid voter decides not to cast his vote, and decides to record this fact. Recording one's vote under Rule 49-O is a choice that voters can exercise to prevent electoral fraud, and misuse of their vote.


Anyway… Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY”? ... Because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received " 49-O" votes more than 123 , then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them.
This would hopefully bring fear into parties and hence would look for genuine candidates to give out tickets.