NOTA fails to make any substantial impact in UP; presence felt

Similarly there were 18 seats where over 10,000 NOTA were polled by the voters, however, in none of these seats it was in a position to alter the results.

The seats which saw over 10,000 NOTA are Deoria, Aonla, Bahraich, Banda, Bansgaon, Basti, Faizabad, Fatehpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Kaiserganj, Kaushambi, Kheri, Kushi Nagar, Pili Bhit, Robertsganj, Sharwasti and Sitapur.

The Supreme Court had given the path-breaking verdict September last year, holding that voters have a Right to Reject all candidates contesting polls in a constituency by exercising the NOTA option.

Following the court order, the Election Commission had introduced the option first time in the poll-bound states of Mizoram, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh last year.

However, the apex court had refused to direct the Election Commission to hold fresh polls in case the majority of the electorate exercises NOTA.