Gorakhpur voters exercise 'Right to Rejection' in UP

Gorakhpur/Mau, Feb 11 (ANI): At least 67 voters in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur District opted for the 'Right to Rejection' by filling up Form 17 (A) under the Rule 49-O in The Conduct of Election Rules, during the ongoing polls as they believed that none of the candidates were suitable to represent them.

Talking to mediapersons in Gorakhpur on Saturday, Dhananjay Mani Tripathi, a resident, reasoned out the rejection move and added that the candidates lacked credibility.

"We surveyed and tried gathering information about all the candidates who were contesting elections from the Gorakhpur seat. We found that not even a single candidate contesting from Gorakhpur was appropriate according to the voters. So that is why we did not use our right to vote and filled Form 17 (A) and did not vote for any of the candidates by using the option of 'Right to Reject' as none of the candidates met our expectations," said Tripathi.

He expressed his disappointment as he held the view that it is unlikely that they would work for the welfare of the people.

Complaining about the polling officers, Tripathi said that he faced a lot of problems in getting the Form 17 (A), despite repeated request to the polling officers.

"I spoke to the Election Commission of India, and then the concerned official told me to write a rejection application along with the cause on the paper where polling officers are taking signatures. I wrote on the paper that I don't want to vote for these candidates and put in my signature there, but it is again very unfortunate and sad that the district officers, who are holding responsible positions, do not know anything. I faced a lot of trouble in getting the form," said Tripathi.

Elections in the second phase of UP assembly polls are being held in 59 constituencies.

Polling kicked off in nine districts, including, Azamgarh, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Ghazipur, Ballia, Deoria, Mau, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar at 20425 polling booths set up at 12995 polling centres.

Security arrangements were tight in several places considering the sensitive situation in the districts.

The second phase will decide the fate of 1,098 candidates.

Meanwhile in Mau, there was utter chaos in front of polling station.

Police baton charged voters to control the situation. One old man sustained an injury to his head.

The polling officials are expecting a high turnout during the second phase of elections.

The first phase polling, which was held on Wednesday, saw a turnout of about 62 percent, despite heavy rains throughout the day.

The election is being seen as a litmus test, for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's troubled government ahead of the general elections two years from now.

The polls are being viewed as an opportunity for political parties to re-establish or strengthen their foothold in the country's fifth largest state.

The ongoing assembly elections would elect 403 representatives. (ANI)