30 April 2006
General Election 2006
Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta has sent a communique to all District Election Officers regarding the electors decided not to vote: Rule 49-O of the Conduct of Election Rule 1961 contains the provisions regarding electors deciding not to vote. If an elector after his electoral roll number has been entered in the register of Electoral Rolls in the form 17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon decides not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in the form 17A by the Presiding Officer and his signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remarks. He has asked the District Election Officers that the above rule position may be communicated to all the Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers of Assembly Constituencies comprised in their respective districts. The above provision should also be clearly explained to the Presiding Officers /Polling Officers in the training classes to be conducted, it is further asked. It may be mentioned that a NGO had represented to the Chief Election Commissioner of India during his visit to Chennai on 28th and 29th March 2006 that wide publicity should be given to this provision and that at least the Presiding Officers should be made aware of the provision.