Section 49-O

Some time last week, while driving to office in the morning, Gopinath, my most favourite VJ and RJ was hosting a show on Radio City. The show named ‘Speak up Chennai’ discussed about elections and the responsibility of every citizen towards voting. Listening to this show on the way to office is my routine practice and Kumz & me enjoy the topics that are discussed and we also relish Gopi’s style of anchoring. It was during this show that I came to know about Section “49-O”. Am sure, most people would be unaware of this system in the constitution.

Section 49-O is ‘Your right to vote for nobody; or reject all the candidates in the fray’. Isn’t that great??? Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them.

This would regulate the whole process of election and create apprehension in parties to nominate the deserving, rightful and genuine candidates for election. This would change the way of our whole political system. It is surprising as to why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public.

To me it seems to be a wonderful weapon for democracy to fight against undeserving politicians. Let us express our desire to ‘vote for nobody’; it is even more powerful than voting.