HC asks EC whether EVM can have column for negative vote

PTI | 10:01 PM,Jan 19,2012

Mumbai, Jan 19 (PTI) The Bombay High Court today asked the Election Commission of India and State Election Commission to inform the court whether they can add a column for 'Negative Vote' in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on the lines of inclusion of Braille symbols in the machine to aide the visually impaired while voting. A division bench headed by Justice D D Sinha sought the information from the EC after it was informed that the Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission in 2007 to make EVMs Braille capable. Accordingly, the facility was provided. "If the Braille system was introduced after Supreme Court orders, then the column for negative vote can also be included. The Election Commission should state whether it is possible," Justice Sinha said posting the matter for hearing on January 25. The direction came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Thane-based doctor Mahesh Bedekar seeking for inclusion of negative vote column in EVMs. Bedekar's PIL contended that secrecy is maintained while a voter casts his vote for a candidate. The same should also be ensured when a person wants to cast a negative vote. Sanjeev Gorwadkar, advocate for Bedekar, argued that by casting a negative vote, a voter decides not to vote for any of the candidates contesting elections. Presently, when a voter wants to cast a negative vote, he/she is asked to fill out a separate form. Even a register is maintained with name and details of the voter opting for negative vote. "In this case, there are chances of the person being harassed," argued Gorwadkar.