Q. Consider the following statements:
1.According to the Section 53 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, if the number of candidates matches the number of seats, they are to be declared elected without a poll.
2.If a significant number of voters select None of the Above (NOTA) option, it invalidates the election.
3.If no candidates contest election from a constituency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) might be obliged to conduct another election, allowing a new set of candidates to run.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Section 53 of The Representation of the People Act, 1951, states that if the number of contesting candidates is equal to the number of seats to be filled, the returning officer shall declare all such candidates to be duly elected. If no candidates contest an election from a constituency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) may be required to conduct another election to fill the vacant seat. In such cases, the ECI could allow a new set of candidates to run for election in the respective constituency.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Election Commission of India has clarified that even if NOTA receives more votes than any of the candidates, it does not invalidate the election. The candidate with the highest number of votes among the contesting candidates is still declared the winner.
Source: The Hindu
