Nota records the lowest percentage since its launch in the 2014 general election

New Delhi: According to data shared by the Election Commission, the above mentioned (Nota) option in EVMs has recorded its lowest percentage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections since it was introduced in 2013. This option was first implemented in a Lok Sabha poll in 2014.

According to the ‘Atlas -2024’ of the referendum, which contains the data of the Lok Sabha elections last year, the nota vote in the last three Lok Sabha elections has gradually declined from 1.08 percent to 0.99 percent in 2014.

Although the percentage seems small, the number of nota votes may be even more significant, especially in places where nota votes may have affected the consequences in some constituencies.

The distribution of Nota votes across the states reveals significant variation, reflecting the levels of regional political dynamics, voter preferences and political involvement.

Bihar recorded the highest share of Nota votes (percent) 2.07 per cent, followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Taman and Diu 2.06 per cent and Gujarat 1.58 per cent.

On the contrary, Nagaland registered the lowest share of the Nagaland Nota votes at just 0.21%, which recommends strong alignment or option for candidates contesting in the state.

Such different tendencies in states can be affected by factors such as political competition, the importance of regional parties, voter education and the entire electoral terrain in every region.

This variation illustrates a variety of ways that voters engage in the electoral process and express their wishes by vigorous participating in selecting a candidate or using the Nota as an instrument of opposition or disagreement.

Introduced in 2013, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) Ann Nota Option has its own symbol – a ballot with a black cross across its. After the September 2013 Supreme Court order, the last option in the voting committee was added to the EVMS nota button EC.

Prior to the Supreme Court order, those who did not want to vote for any candidate were willing to fill the so-called Form 49-O. But the behavior of the election rules, filling the form at the polling station under 1961, compromised the voter’s secret.

However, the Supreme Court refused to lead the Election Commission to hold the new referendum if the majority of voters use the Nota wishes during the vote.