Voters of urban local bodies (ULBs) in Tamil Nadu are not going to be provided with the option of NOTA (None of the Above) in the February 19 polls, and may get the option only in the next elections, if the State Election Commission (SEC) has its way.
Referring to the absence of the relevant provisions in the election rules as the primary reason, a senior official of the State Election Commission (SEC) said as the power of notification of rules lies with the State government, any amendment to the Tamil Nadu Town Panchayats, Third Grade Municipalities, Municipalities and Corporations (Elections) Rules, 2006, has to be done with the consent of the government. This matter is likely to be pursued once the ULBs poll process is over.
But, in many other States, including Maharashtra, the option is available. Odisha is the latest entrant to this list and the option will be provided to voters of 48 municipalities, 59 Notified Area Councils and 3 municipal corporations that are expected to go to polls soon.
