It was after three years of trying for a voter identity card that I was lucky to get one issued by the State Election commission. But I was not that lucky to have everything in place; the address on my identity card belonged to someone else (although from the same ward). I decided to vote based on the address mentioned on the card from a polling booth different from where my family votes.
Excited to vote for the very first time after long wait, I had been looking after contesting candidates in my ward to decide whom to vote for. But unfortunately I could not find one appropriate candidate suitable as municipal councilor for a vote. (There were only three candidates from three political parties contesting from my ward).
Although I was aware that Right to Reject exists, I didn't know how exactly do it exercise it. Finally after researching a bit I was successful in finding it but was still not completely confident about it.
I was also told that people like me who don't wish to vote to their candidates are trying to press two buttons at a time to discard their vote. Keeping this point in mind I was confused about what to do next. I went to the polling booth, unsure about the exact procedure, standing in the queue, I found a person on the chair opposite me designated as the ‘Presiding Officer’ of that booth.
I went to him and asked, "Is there a way by which I don't vote to any candidate but my vote is still recorded?" Puzzled at my question, the officer asked me to repeat the question and finally said 'No'. Thankfully, another officer next to him interrupted saying to the presiding officer, "There is a provision. How can you deny it to the voter?
I felt good. He then asked me to wait till the time he finds the form specified for people like me. I happily agreed to wait and asked if I could get other formalities done by the time (most importantly getting the finger inked). He agreed and I finished rest of the formalities like signing upside down in the register of voters.
However people at these desks were surprised to find someone who didnt wish to vote and started murmuring amongst themselves and asking questions (actually question-- "You don't wish to vote, is it?") Answering their question with a big 'Yes' I kept moving ahead to different people, where I was asked to write a comment next to my signature remarking that I don't wish to vote. I did so. I also wrote behind the receipt about the same
By the time the gentlemen office was searching for the form. After politely requesting me to wait 2-3 times, he finally found it and confirmed with a senior over the phone of it was the same form. He then asked me to jot down my name, remark and signature on the form. I did it.
One curiosity that was still in my mind was seeing how the EVM looks like and how does it work. I asked a lady sitting there if i could just see the EVM from a side without even touching it. But I don't know why was she really feeling so offensive for me not voting that she in a slight rude way denied me the permission. But still not losing hope I asked the polite officer who helped me earlier too for permission and he agreed. He asked me not to touch it. I was fine with it.
Finally while moving out I was cheerfully happy as I voted for none (which I found the best option) saw the EVM and saw how does the voting procedure function. Not to forget along with this being my first voting experience, it was also my first experience of covering elections too.
While coming out of the booth, I thanked the officer and just as I stepped out of the booth, I started calling people to share my experience – a memorable one definitely.
Excited to vote for the very first time after long wait, I had been looking after contesting candidates in my ward to decide whom to vote for. But unfortunately I could not find one appropriate candidate suitable as municipal councilor for a vote. (There were only three candidates from three political parties contesting from my ward).
Although I was aware that Right to Reject exists, I didn't know how exactly do it exercise it. Finally after researching a bit I was successful in finding it but was still not completely confident about it.
I was also told that people like me who don't wish to vote to their candidates are trying to press two buttons at a time to discard their vote. Keeping this point in mind I was confused about what to do next. I went to the polling booth, unsure about the exact procedure, standing in the queue, I found a person on the chair opposite me designated as the ‘Presiding Officer’ of that booth.
I went to him and asked, "Is there a way by which I don't vote to any candidate but my vote is still recorded?" Puzzled at my question, the officer asked me to repeat the question and finally said 'No'. Thankfully, another officer next to him interrupted saying to the presiding officer, "There is a provision. How can you deny it to the voter?
I felt good. He then asked me to wait till the time he finds the form specified for people like me. I happily agreed to wait and asked if I could get other formalities done by the time (most importantly getting the finger inked). He agreed and I finished rest of the formalities like signing upside down in the register of voters.
However people at these desks were surprised to find someone who didnt wish to vote and started murmuring amongst themselves and asking questions (actually question-- "You don't wish to vote, is it?") Answering their question with a big 'Yes' I kept moving ahead to different people, where I was asked to write a comment next to my signature remarking that I don't wish to vote. I did so. I also wrote behind the receipt about the same
By the time the gentlemen office was searching for the form. After politely requesting me to wait 2-3 times, he finally found it and confirmed with a senior over the phone of it was the same form. He then asked me to jot down my name, remark and signature on the form. I did it.
One curiosity that was still in my mind was seeing how the EVM looks like and how does it work. I asked a lady sitting there if i could just see the EVM from a side without even touching it. But I don't know why was she really feeling so offensive for me not voting that she in a slight rude way denied me the permission. But still not losing hope I asked the polite officer who helped me earlier too for permission and he agreed. He asked me not to touch it. I was fine with it.
Finally while moving out I was cheerfully happy as I voted for none (which I found the best option) saw the EVM and saw how does the voting procedure function. Not to forget along with this being my first voting experience, it was also my first experience of covering elections too.
While coming out of the booth, I thanked the officer and just as I stepped out of the booth, I started calling people to share my experience – a memorable one definitely.
