Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha has directed to provide the NOTA (None Of The Above) option for the General Elections to Urban Local Bodies.
The decision was taken after the Election Commission of India (ECI) provided the option of NOTA to the electors for elections to Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha, stated an order of the SEC.
As per the SEC, in pursuance of Article 243-ZA of the Constitution, it is vested with the power of superintendence, direction, and control of preparation of electoral roll for, and conduct of all elections to Municipalities.
It informed that there is no provision of providing NOTA option to the electors under the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and the Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003 and the Rules framed thereunder.
However, as the ECI has provided the option of NOTA to the electors for elections to Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha, the SEC in exercise of powers vested in it under Article 243 ZA, directed that the NOTA option will be provided to the electors for the General Elections to Urban Local Bodies.
