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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified its stance on theNOTA option and the withdrawal of candidacies in the wake of the Surat election controversy.
CEC Rajiv Kumar, in a press meet ahead of the counting day, addressed questions about the poll body's decision to declare BJP's Surat candidate, Mukesh Dalal, elected after the Congress pick's nomination was rejected and the other candidates withdrew nominations.
The BJP's Surat win had sparked a massive row, with the Congress alleging that the ruling BJP in Gujarat used "wrong and undue influence" and pressured candidates into withdrawing nominations.
Many others had pointed that not polling in the constituency was a violation of voters' right as he/she could also opt for the NOTA option.
CEC Kumar emphasized that the ECI can intervene if a candidate is pressured into withdrawing nomination, but not when it's consensual.
He also defended the poll body's decision to declare a candidate elected unopposed in cases where all other candidates withdraw their nominations.
Kumar argued that it is essential to ensure that the best candidates are elected and that voters should have the opportunity to choose NOTA.
However, he added that it would not be right to have a law that mandates elections in all constituencies, regardless of the number of candidates.
Kumar also rejected allegations made by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh that Union Home Minister Amit Shah called up district magistrates after voting and accused the BJP of "blatant and brazen intimidation".
He termed the charges as "rumors" and said that it is not right to spread doubt without providing specific evidence.
Source: Did Surat Election Violate Supreme Court's NOTA Verdict? Poll Body Replies