Over 10,000 opt fot NOTA

PANJIM: Of the five states that went to the polls, Goa is on top on the list in terms of voters pressing the NOTA (none of the above) button, followed by Uttarakhand.

According to the data available with the Election Commission of India (ECI), 1.2 percent of the voters in Goa opted for NOTA which accounts to 10,535 voters across Goa followed by Uttarakhand with 1 percent.

Poriem constituency registered the highest in terms of NOTA votes – 552 – followed by Pernem with 469 votes and then 448 in Priol.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kunal said, “It was surprising that Goa registered 1.2 percent vote share for NOTA which accounts to 10,535 voters and was the highest among the other states which went to polls. It was the first time that NOTA option was available to Goan voters as the 2012 Assembly elections this option was not included on voting machines.”

Further in Uttar Pradesh (UP) 0.9 percent voted for the NOTA followed by 0.7 percent in Punjab and 0.5 percent in Manipur.