Question

In which election was NOTA used for the first time in India?

• A. Gujarat Assembly Elections
• B. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Assembly Elections
• C. 2014 general election
• D. Karnataka Assembly Elections

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Assembly Elections

• The NOTA (None of the Above) option was first introduced in Indian elections in 2013 following a Supreme Court judgment on 27 September 2013.

• The court directed the Election Commission to provide a NOTA button on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which gave voters the right to reject all candidates.

• NOTA was first implemented in the state assembly elections held in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in November–December 2013.

• This historic electoral reform allowed voters to express their dissatisfaction with all candidates contesting in their constituency.

• The Gujarat assembly elections were held before this Supreme Court judgment.

• The 2014 general elections were held after NOTA had already been implemented in these state elections.

• Similarly, the Karnataka assembly elections mentioned in Option D were held after the initial implementation of NOTA.

• The introduction of NOTA was considered an important step towards increasing democratic participation by allowing voters to officially register their disagreement with all available candidates.