Rule/Section 49-O of the THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS RULES, 1961

Rule/Section 49-O of the THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS RULES, 1961

A person who does not wish to vote to any candidate can use Form 17A (applicable in centre) and write that he/she doesn’t want to exercise his/her vote. In centre the name of form is 17A but in states the name of this form may be different.

For Example: In Chandigarh & Punjab, the Punjab elections rules are been followed and here the name of Form is 11A. The name varies from state to state.

What is FORM 17A/11A? or how to overcome from this confusion?

The Voter register which is used by Presiding Officers/ Duty Officers while cross checking the Voter Card with Voter’s name is termed as Form 17A/11A.

Can Form 17A/11A termed as another form of “Right to Reject”?

Yes, it is a part of “Right to Reject” but it is not full “Right to Reject” as there are no consequences/actions/rules made, if “Right to Reject” votes are exercised more than the votes got by a winning candidate in an election.

But, atleast we have the provision to declare by exercising our votes that we do not wish to vote because we don’t like any candidates.

How to use “Right to Reject” Vote or Form 17A/11A?

· Enter in polling booth with your voter card.

· Presiding Officer/ Duty officer will cross check your name in the VOTER REGISTER (Form 17A/11A).

· If your name exist in that VOTER REGISTER (Form 17A/11A), the presiding Officer/ Duty officer will ask you to sign infront of your name.

· As and when you sign in the register, the presiding Officer/ Duty officer will make a mark on your right hand finger.

· There is a REMARKS BOX in the same row of your name in VOTER REGISTER (Form 17A/11A).

· Write that “ I don’t wish to vote any candidate because I don’t like any candidate”

· After writing in REMARKS BOX, do your signature again after your remarks. (Remember: Signatures are necessary otherwise your vote will not be counted).

· Come out of the Polling Booth

Warning:

· Don’t use EVM/Voting Machine at all because there is no provision/button available for exercising “Right to Reject” currently in it.

· You have to use it in Voter Register only.

What to do in current elections?

1. Use your vote and exercise it because to come in power or to form the government, these corrupt politicians use fraud votes. We people think that we have not exercised our votes, but our votes are been used. So, go to polling booth and exercise your vote.

2. If you do not wish to vote anybody then use “Right to Reject” vote and declare that you wish to vote but you don’t like any candidate.

What will happen by exercising our votes and by using “Right to Reject” vote?

· More and more usage of “Right to Reject” votes will raise the demand of “INCLUSION OF BUTTON” in the voting machine before 2014 elections.

· A major chunk of people, who does not vote, is of those people who seek accountability from politicians and understand the meaning of accountability. Because there is no option available for people who seek accountability, so they don’t go to exercise their votes. This is the only reason that these corrupt politicians are not afraid of doing corruption and don’t care about them. By using FORM 17A/11A or Right to Reject vote in these elections we can initiate this demand.

We are the change we wish to see. Lets start this revolutionary demand for our own benefit and development, prosperity of our country.

Regards

Rahul Bhartiya

www.rahulbhartiya.com

www.kiranbedi.com