Hardeep Singh Buterla, the President of Shiromani Akali Dal in Chandigarh, met with the Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh on Wednesday to submit a formal request. Buterla disclosed that the demand letter specifically urges the inclusion of the ‘NOTA’ (None of the Above) option in the elections for the positions of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. This provision would enable voters to express their dissatisfaction with all candidates if they choose to do so.
Buterla emphasized that as citizens of India, residing in the world›s largest democratic country, it is essential to align with the democratic principles. He pointed out that the ‘NOTA’ option is available in voting machines during assembly elections for selecting MLAs in various states and Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha elections.
Similarly, he stressed the importance of having a ‘NOTA’ provision in the elections for Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor, ensuring citizens the right to express their dissatisfaction with the available candidates.
Hardeep Buterla, in his capacity as a responsible citizen of the city and a former senior deputy mayor and current councilor of the Municipal Corporation, advocates for the inclusion of the ‘NOTA’ option in the upcoming elections for the collective benefit of the public.