In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Friday gave citizens of India the right to reject candidates contesting elections.
Hearing a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties, an NGO, the apex court directed the Election Commission to provide a button on electronic voting machines to allow voters to reject any candidate or candidates contesting an election in a constituency.
The apex court asked the central government to provide all assistance to the election commission in introducing None of the Above (NOTA) option in EVMs and ballot papers.
According to television reports, voters in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Miozoram - where Assembly elections are due in November - will have the right to reject option.
There is no provision yet to count the "rejection" votes and so these will not impact the result of the election.
