The voters in Pakistan may get the “None of the above” ballot choice during the May 11 general election.

Islamabad, April 3/Nationalturk- The voters in Pakistan may get the choice of not voting for any of the candidates in the fray for May 11 general election as country’s Election Commission Wednesday decided to include “none of the above” option in ballot papers.

“The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today unilaterally decided that a ‘none of the above’ box will be available as a voting option on ballot papers this election for voters in Pakistan,” Pakistan’s TV channel, Express News reported.

It will give voter a choice of not voting for any candidate

Officials said “None of the above” ballot choice will give a choice of not voting for any candidate to the voters, who do not want to cast their vote for any candidate in their constituency.

They said since the measure to include “None of the above” ballot choice requires legal backing, ECP has decided that these empty boxes will be included in the papers after an approval from country’s Prime Minister who on the advice of the president according to the 18th amendment will pass an ordinance. “The president has two weeks to approve this motion and that the list of final candidates will be in by April 19”.

According to officials if the election does take place and a majority of 51% vote “none of the above”, then the election will be declared null and void, and a new election will take place.

They said the Election Commission plans on including an empty ballot box in the papers shortly.

Earlier, a discussion about whether the ‘none of the above’ option should be included was discussed by ECP last year but an ordinance was never passed.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

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