The Polling Station, Scout Ground
Every election come hell or high water, we as voters in India are faced with a herculean task of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. To Vote or not to vote?. Whom do we vote for? Time and again we have cast our votes only to be disappointed by the dismal performance of our leaders at the helm.
I remember vividly when I had gone to cast my vote at the last elections, I was informed I could not vote as my name was not on the list!! Can you imagine my astonishment, there I was with my voting election card and was told that I did not exist. It was a blow to the mid-ribs that left me gasping for air due to the rage that had built up on being told I could not do a damn thing about it as the voting process was underway. How had my name mysteriously disappeared from the list? Was I the only one? No I was not the only victim, there were quite a few others who went away disappointed and who swore they would never make it to another polling station as it boiled down to harassment, and total lack of concern on the part of the authorities who were given the job to see that every citizen was not deprived of his franchise to vote.
This time I went out of my way a month and a half before to see that my name was reinstated on the election list. I was promised my new election card would be ready before the commencement of the elections. Five days before the election I went for my card that should have reached my premises and was told that my card had not arrived and that I would only receive it next month, on insisting why there was a delay they said it was not in their hands as it had to come from headquarters. I was assured that since my name was on the list I would be able to cast my vote.
My vote I did cast, I cast a negative vote thanks to the election commission of India for making this provision available to the public. The voting machine did not have this provision as this feature was not taken into account before the election, neither was the form 17A available to lodge an official grievance , I was handed the register also called 17A to sign my name and record my negative vote by signing my name. For anyone not familiar with “49-O”, read the extract below.
I remember vividly when I had gone to cast my vote at the last elections, I was informed I could not vote as my name was not on the list!! Can you imagine my astonishment, there I was with my voting election card and was told that I did not exist. It was a blow to the mid-ribs that left me gasping for air due to the rage that had built up on being told I could not do a damn thing about it as the voting process was underway. How had my name mysteriously disappeared from the list? Was I the only one? No I was not the only victim, there were quite a few others who went away disappointed and who swore they would never make it to another polling station as it boiled down to harassment, and total lack of concern on the part of the authorities who were given the job to see that every citizen was not deprived of his franchise to vote.
This time I went out of my way a month and a half before to see that my name was reinstated on the election list. I was promised my new election card would be ready before the commencement of the elections. Five days before the election I went for my card that should have reached my premises and was told that my card had not arrived and that I would only receive it next month, on insisting why there was a delay they said it was not in their hands as it had to come from headquarters. I was assured that since my name was on the list I would be able to cast my vote.
My vote I did cast, I cast a negative vote thanks to the election commission of India for making this provision available to the public. The voting machine did not have this provision as this feature was not taken into account before the election, neither was the form 17A available to lodge an official grievance , I was handed the register also called 17A to sign my name and record my negative vote by signing my name. For anyone not familiar with “49-O”, read the extract below.
How to Beat The Indian Politician
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 to the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!
Yes such a feature is available, but obviously our seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".
Why should you go and say "I VOTE FOR 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 bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the Election Commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....
Please spread this news to as many as you know... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...
Yes such a feature is available, but obviously our seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".
Why should you go and say "I VOTE FOR 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 bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the Election Commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....
Please spread this news to as many as you know... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...
