Bhubaneswar, February 11: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday decided to provide NOTA (None of the above) option to the voters in the upcoming urban election in the State.
“The SEC in exercise of powers vested in it under Article 243-ZA of the Constitution, directs that the option of NOTA will be provided to the electors for the general elections to the urban local bodies,” said SEC Secretary RN Sahu in an order.
The Article has given power of superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral roll for, and conduct of all elections to Municipalities. There is no provision of providing NOTA option to the electors under the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and the Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003 and the Rules framed there under.
However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has provided the option of NOTA to the electors for elections to Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha.
“Therefore, the State Election Commission, in exercise of powers vested in it under Article 243 ZA of the Constitution, directs that the option NOTA (none of the above) will be provided to the electors for the general elections to Urban Local Bodies,” read the order.
As per the order, the word NOTA will be printed in the last panel after the last candidate and NOTA symbol will be printed on the symbol column.
