It would not only be the option of 'None Of The Above' (NOTA) that would be used for the first time in the Assembly election of the State but there would also be some other firsts that would be start from this Assembly election 2013.
The another first also on apex court orders males it mandatory to the candidates to fill all columns in election affidavit and another first would be deployment of 'awareness observers.'
Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath while announcing schedule of elections in five States on Friday said that the Election Commission is taking necessary steps to make available the NOTA option for voters in the electronic voting machines. "The Election Commission is working out details and steps for introduction of NOTA option in these polls itself," Sampath said.
The decision to include the option was taken after the Supreme Court in its September 27, 2013 judgement, had directed the EC to provide the NOTA option on ballot papers and EVMs.
Referring to another apex court judgement on filling all columns in election affidavit, Sampath said now it is obligatory for the Returning Officer (RO) to check whether the information required is fully furnished. Now, if any of the columns is left blank by a candidate, the RO will issue him a notice to complete the affidavit. If the candidate fails to do so despite the notice, his nomination paper is liable to be rejected at the time of scrutiny.
In another first, the EC will now deploy 'awareness observers' who will oversee measures for voter facilitation with a view to motivate voters and increase turnout. Awareness observers will be deployed in two phases of seven days each and will monitor steps being taken by the election machinery to bridge the gap in people's participation in the electoral process.