851 voters in Delhi opted for `not to vote`

New Delhi, May 9 (PTI) While over 57 lakh people cast
their votes in the national capital on Thursday, as many as
851 electorate preferred to register their dissent over the
electoral process by opting for the option of "not to vote".

Under the provision, voters will not be forced to record
their voting even after their electoral roll number are
entered in the register of voters.

As per the guidelines of the Election Commission, if a
voter decided not to record his vote, he/she will have to
write, "Refused to vote".

Of the 851 people, maximum 178 electorate in the high
profile New Delhi constituency opted for the option, followed
by West Delhi (164), East Delhi (153), North West and Chandini
Chowk (130 each), South Delhi (50) and North East (46).

However, the provision has all along failed to attract
good response as most of electorate were not aware of such a
facility. PTI