49,000 Voters used NOTA in Jammu and Kashmir polls

Over 49,000 electorates used ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, results of which were declared today.

There were a total of 73,16,393 voters, including service electors in the state. Of these, one per cent or 49,129 people used NOTA, according to the Election Commission.

The Supreme Court had in September 2013 directed that there should be a ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot papers and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

On the Balloting unit, below the name of the last candidate, there will now be a button for NOTA option so that electors who do not want to vote for any of the candidates can exercise their option by pressing the button against NOTA, the apex court had said.

PDP emerged as single largest party in the state by winning 28 seats followed by BJP which won 25 constituencies in 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

While ruling NC got 15, Congress 12, Jammu & Kashmir People Conference secured win on two seats, Jammu and Kashmir People Democratic Front (Secular) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) got one seat each in the counting of votes held today.