Wednesday, April 27 2005 09:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has suggested amendment in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 by adding a provision in the ballot paper to enable a voter to reject all the candidates, if one chooses so, Government told the Lok Sabha yesterday (Apr 26, 2005).

The CEC has suggested amendment of Rules 22 and 49-B of the Election Rules by adding a proviso that in the ballot paper and the particulars on the ballot unit, in the column relating to name of candidates, after the entry relating to the last candidate, there shall be a column "None of the above", Minister of State for Home M H Gavit said in a written reply.

The proposal has been examined in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department, he said.

The issue is also pending consideration in the Supreme Court in a writ petition, he said.