The Internet these days is flooded with articles about SECTION 49-o. People are sending and recieving emails and social networking websites like Orkut and Facebook are flooded with topics on Section 49-o. The HOAX mail claim that under section 49-o we can choose the option of not voting anyone and if the no. of persons voting for none of the above exceed the other voting percentage all candidates will be disqualified and Re-Polling would be held with new candidates. Unfortunately many people didn't thought of verifying this and spread the rumour forward which created lots of confusion.


So what is the truth??


The truth is Section 49-o exist and its purpose as per paragraph given on Indian govt. website is-


49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.


Implementation- The real inclusion of article 49-0 in the rule book is to prevent election fraud, so that other people don’t caste their vote using your identity. The Election Commission didn’t bother extending it further specifying what would happen in case the number of “none” votes exceeded those of the other candidates.



So what is the myth?


The myth is that there is re-polling. The truth is that THERE IS NO RE-POLLING. The result will remain the same, the person who gets the highest number of votes wins. Which also means that even if the majority of the nation feels that amongst the candidates standing none of them fits the bill and none would do justice to the nation as the next PM, theres no rule (as of now) which will ensure re-polling.


So now you know the truth and the next time when someone tells you about section 49-o you know what you have to say!

Spread Awareness.


Jai Hind