The Lahore High Court on Wednesday observed that directions to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be issued at this juncture to add NOTA (none of the above) in ballot papers. The court was hearing a petition of a citizen Waseem Rana seeking directives for the ECP to add NOTA in ballet papers.
The court adjourned the hearing till September and observed that the directions could not be passed without hearing detailed arguments on the point raised in the petition.
The petitioner argued that option "NOTA" should be included in the ballot papers as it would enhance the scope of political expression and public confidence in the democratic process.
He said people who normally do not have votes would also be engaged in political process. He said the addition of option Nota would ensure credibility and enhance accountability process.