None of the Above (NOTA) option

     
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
 CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 161 OF 2004
People’s Union for Civil Liberties & Anr.            .... Petitioner (s)
Versus
Union of India & Anr.                             .... Respondent(s)  
J U D G M E N T
P.Sathasivam, CJI.

 "we hold that Rules 

41(2) & (3) and 49-O of the Rules are ultra vires Section 128
of the RP Act and Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution to the
extent they violate secrecy of voting.  In view of our
conclusion, we direct the Election Commission to provide
necessary provision in the ballot papers/EVMs and another
button called “None of the Above” (NOTA) may be provided
in EVMs so that the voters, who come to the polling booth
and decide not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray,
are able to exercise their right not to vote while maintaining
their right of secrecy.  Inasmuch as the Election Commission
itself is in favour of the provision for NOTA in EVMs, we direct
the Election Commission to implement the same either in a
phased manner or at a time with the assistance of the
Government of India.  We also direct the Government of India
to provide necessary help for implementation of the above
direction.  Besides, we also direct the Election Commission to
undertake awareness programmes to educate the masses.      "

The writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid 

directions.
……….…………………………CJI.                  (P. SATHASIVAM)                              
        ………….…………………………J.                  (RANJANA PRAKASH DESAI)                                
………….…………………………J.                 (RANJAN GOGOI)                                
NEW DELHI; SEPTEMBER 27, 2013.