Presiding officers said they were unaware of Form 49-O for those not wanting to vote.
Even as much discourse continues in various public and political spheres on having an option ‘None of the above’ in electronic voting machines (EVM), there seemed to be a growing demand from various quarters in the city for the right to abstain from voting, on
Thursday.
Though there is no such button on an EVM, there is provision in the law to ask for Form 49-O at polling booths, thereby exercising a right to not vote for any candidate by filling up the form.
The demand for Form 49-O became an issue of contention between presiding officers and voters on Thursday as at several polling booths, the former failed to provide the form. In most cases, the presiding officers claimed they were unaware of any such provision under the law.
The voters unable to procure the form accused the officers of dereliction of duty, saying they were unwilling to undertake the process of registering the voters’ identities in Form 17-A along with thumb impressions and record a remark in it about the voters’ demand to not vote.
In booth number 155 at RC Patel School in Vasna, Parth Vasavada had to wait half an hour while the officials discussed Form 49-O. They finally requested him to forego his choice and cast his vote for any candidate.
“It is sad that after so much campaigning about awareness and the participation of the youth, the officials themselves are unaware of the procedures,” Vasavada said.
In another case, a voter demanded Form 49-O at the polling booth at Bima Yojana Hospital, leading to an argument as the presiding officer failed to produce the same.
On the voter’s insistence, the choice of not voting was marked on the electoral role. “I am afraid they will not register my choice, but I will keep an eye on it. I have the right to the choice,” the voter said.
There were similar incidents in other parts of the city as well as the state. Speaking about the difficulties faced by voters in Vadodara, social activist Rohit Prajapati said, “Some people were able to exercise the option, but many others faced difficulties in doing so. Many presiding officers said there was no such provision, alternatively suggesting that they either vote of leave.”
Prajapati further said this happened despite the district collectorate being informed of the provision.
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