No NOTA in BBMP polls, says HC

The High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking introduction of NOTA (None of the Above) option in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the elections to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice B V Nagarathna, said that since the BBMP election had been scheduled for August 22 and the PIL had been filed at a later stage, it was not possible to introduce the NOTA option at this juncture.
As the elections have been scheduled after a long legal battle, it would be inappropriate to pass any directions to incorporate NOTA, the Bench said.

The Bench also noted that NOTA is option is as good as not voting and sitting at home. N P Amruthesh, a City-based advocate had moved the court seeking introduction of NOTA option.

Court moved over flag
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved the High Court challenging the notice issued by the returning officer on August 16, 2015, asking the party to remove the flag hoisted outside the party office in Malleswaram as the polling station for the BBMP elections is located within a 100-meter radius of the BJP office.

As per the rules, there must be no flags, posters or any canvassing material in a 100-meter radius of the polling station.

The BJP has contended that the flag was being hoisted ever since the party shifted its office to Malleswaram in 2011 and it had nothing to do with the elections. The matter will come up for hearing on Thursday.