Congress knocks EC's door over NOTA option in Rajya Sabha polls

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an uproar by the opposition over an EC notification that provides the MLAs the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option in Rajya Sabha elections.

The Congress leader on Tuesday approached the Election Commission over the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option in the vote for the elections to the Rajya Sabha.

In a petition to the Election Commission, the Congress said that making NOTA option available was contrary to the mandate of the Constitution, the Representation of People's Act, the conduct of election rules as also the judgment of the Supreme Court, said reports.

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an uproar by the opposition over an EC notification that provides the MLAs the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option in the vote for the elections to the Upper House.

Angry members of the Congress and other opposition parties forced adjournments of the proceedings as they questioned the NOTA provision for these elections.

Significantly, the protests come at a time when a high profile battle for Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat is around the corner involving heavy-weights like BJP chief Amit Shah, HRD minister Smriti Irani and veteran Congressman Ahmed Patel.

Congress leader Anand Sharma had said in the Rajya Sabha that the decision to provide the NOTA option had been made without amending the Constitution or the law as per the direction of the Election Commission.

"It vitiates the election... Constitution has not been amended. Representation of People Act has not been amended. NOTA has been introduced...unless Constitution is amended, how can this be done," Sharma asked.

OneIndia News