Social activist and Telangana Matti Manushula Vedika founder Venepally Panduranga Rao has demanded that the Election Commission allot the symbol of a donkey to the NOTA (None of The Above) option, so as to attract the attention of people.
As part of his efforts to ensure the election of right candidates to Assembly and Parliament, Mr. Rao has put up a makeshift jail model at the Clock Tower in Nalgonda, besides displaying banners highlighting his demand that contestants with corrupt and criminal background be imprisoned.
Underlining the importance of giving an attractive symbol to NOTA to highlight its importance, the social activist told The Hindu the allotment of donkey symbol would attract many. Unlike corrupt and lazy politicians who do little to address the needs of the public, the donkey was an animal that would never harm humans.
Mr. Rao termed voters who exchange their vote for money or liquor as the primary accused in the election of wrong candidates, while the second-accused is the party or the leader selling the ticket and third-accused are contestants who purchase ticket. Mr. Rao also pleaded with the EC to cancel the election if there were more votes for the NOTA option than for each of the contestants.
