5,011 opt for NOTA in Bathinda dist

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 11

A considerable number of voters in Bathinda and Mansa districts have opted for none of the above (NOTA) in the Assembly election, showing their disinterest in the candidates who were in the poll fray.

The reason for opting NOTA could be ‘little expectations’ from any of the political parties contesting the Assembly elections.

As many as 5,011 voters in the six Assembly segments of Bathinda district have chosen NOTA.

As many as 1,208 NOTA votes were polled in Bathinda (Urban), while 1,216 in Bathinda (Rural), 853 in Maur, 711 in Bucho Mandi, 578 in Talwandi Sabo and 445 in Rampura Phul.

As many as 3,093 NOTA votes were polled in three constituencies of Mansa district — 1,253 votes in Mansa constituency, 1,062 in Sardulgarh and 778 in Budhladha.

In many constituencies, NOTA votes were polled more than the votes secured by Independent candidates.

Many urban voters have opted for NOTA in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. However, a significant number of voters in rural areas have also opted for NOTA in the 2017 Assembly elections.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, as many as 4,685 NOTA votes were polled in the Bathinda parliamentary constituency.

In September 2014, the Supreme Court gave the path-breaking verdict and gave voters a right to reject all candidates contesting the poll in a constituency by pressing NOTA.

Democratic Swaraj Party candidate from the Bathinda (Urban) constituency Gian Chand Bansal said NOTA did not mean rejection, it was just that a voter had voted for no one.

Gagandeep Singh, who opted for NOTA, said, “I did not find any suitable candidate for the MLA’s job as I have already seen candidates of the Congress and the SAD in power. The Aam Aadmi Party also failed to impress, so I opted for NOTA. It is good that people are getting aware and are opting for NOTA.”