Gujarat HC directs State Election Commission to include “NOTA” option in impending local body polls

In a Civil Appeal preferred by Social Activist and Advocate Shri K R Koshti the Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court comprising acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice N V Anjaria directed the State Election Commission to provide the option of NOTA on the Electronic Voting Machines in the upcoming local body polls in the state. As the High Court had stayed implementation of compulsory voting and NOTA, the state election commission had this time not included the option of NOTA for voters. The counsel for the State Election Commission, Shri Mihir Thakore, argued that it is difficult to include NOTA at this 11th hour when there are only three weeks left for the polls. The High Court also directed the state government to provide all the necessary assistance to Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections and to supply sufficient man power to bring back NOTA buttons on the voting machines.