Protest Vote

Something that I’d been wanting for a while now, found this piece of information in the ToI of yesterday and thought must share; perhaps a little late in the day for the BMC elections tomorrow, but better late than never ‘n all that:

There is a way to cast your vote and still not vote for anyone. Go to your polling booth and let the polling officer go through your identity card and strike out your name on the list. Walk up to the EVM after the ink has been applied and wait till you hear a beep that allows you to [cast your] vote.

Andheri AGNI activist James John says people should exercise this option when they do not want to vote, as this will prevent miscreants from casting bogus votes.

Personally, I don’t like the bit about ‘the  officer may write…’. It shouldn’t be may, but must. And if the count of protest votes is found to be significant, then a re-poll should be conducted. But then Oh darling, yeh hain India! Lets make do with what we have, and then fight for the rest. :o)