As per 49-O Conduct of the Election Rules voters were required to have their finger marked with indelible ink and demand form 17 A and fill up their names with signature or thumb impression and with the remark that they did not want to cast their vote, Agnes Kharshiing, president of leading women's NGO Civil Society Welfare organisation said.
"It in itself is a valid vote and has to be counted. The voters cannot be forced to press any buttons after filling in the register, Kharshiing said.
Another anti-graft women activist, Angela Rngad, said "We are concerned at the number of business-minded candidates, candidates whose records in the past five years did not match our expectation and Rule 49-O is to air our displeasure at their contesting the elections."
The activists demanded that the ECI give this crucial information to the people to know their right to reject as their constitutionally mandatory right.
The activists also demanded that the CEO make public all election-related expenditure over the past five years including on publicity.