NOTA
"None of the Above" — an option on the ballot to reject all candidates.
Short answer
What is NOTA?
NOTA is an option available on Indian ballots and EVMs since 2013 that allows a voter to formally register that they reject all contesting candidates. NOTA votes are counted and reported but do not affect the outcome; the candidate with the most valid votes still wins.
Definition
NOTA is an option available on Indian ballots and EVMs since 2013 that allows a voter to formally register that they reject all contesting candidates. NOTA votes are counted and reported but do not affect the outcome; the candidate with the most valid votes still wins.
Why It Matters
A high NOTA share signals dissatisfaction with the entire slate rather than support for any alternative. In closely fought seats, the NOTA count sometimes exceeds the winning margin, which makes it a meaningful indicator of unaddressed voter alienation.
Example in Indian Elections
Where booth-level analysis shows rising NOTA in areas that were previously reliable, it usually indicates a base that is disengaging rather than defecting — a problem requiring a different response from persuasion.
Related Terms
- Polling BoothThe individual polling station where a defined group of voters casts their votes.
- Form 20The statutory ECI document publishing booth-wise vote counts after a poll.
- Electoral RollThe official list of registered voters for a constituency, organised by part and booth.
- By-ElectionAn election held to fill a single seat vacated mid-term.
- Model Code of ConductECI guidelines governing party and candidate conduct once an election is announced.
- Silence PeriodThe 48 hours before polling closes when public campaigning is prohibited.