Protest by Ballot Paper: “none of the above” Option

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 530 - 552, 29.12.2023

Özlem Çelik

Abstract

Democratic elections are based on voters choosing between competing political parties or candidates. Generally, voters who do not wish to support any of the candidates are not given an option to clearly express their preferences. In some countries, however, an option of “none of the above” (NOTA) or “none of these candidates” (NOTC) is included on the ballot papers. Very few countries offer voters this option in their ballot papers. In some countries, blank votes are counted separately and included in the number of valid votes. The purpose of such regulations is to increase the voter turnout by including voters who protest against candidates. The Venice Commission has noted that the possibility for voters to reject candidates or parties may strengthen their apathy towards politics and parties. In this study, examples of countries that offer “none of the above” or similar options on their ballots will be examined in general.

Keywords

None of the above, None of these candidates, Protest voting, Blank vote.

Oy Pusulası ile Protesto: “Yukarıdakilerden Hiçbiri” Seçeneği

Abstract

Demokratik seçimler, seçmenlerin rakip siyasi partiler veya adaylar arasından bir seçim yapması esasına dayanır. Adaylardan hiçbirini desteklemek istemeyen seçmelere tercihlerini açık bir şekilde ifade edebilecek bir seçenek genellikle sunulmaz. Ancak bazı ülkelerde, oy pusulalarında “yukarıdakilerden hiçbiri” (none of the above, NOTA), ya da “bu adayların hiçbiri” (none of these candidates, NOTC) şekilde bir seçeneğe yer verilmektedir. Oy pusulalarında seçmenlere bu şeklinde bir seçenek sunan ülke sayısı oldukça azdır. Bazı ülkelerde ise boş oylar ayrıca sayılıp, geçerli oy sayısına dahil edilmektedir. Bu tür düzenlemelerin amacı adayları protesto eden seçmenleri de sürece dahil ederek, seçimlere katılma oranlarını arttırmaktır. Venedik Komisyonu ise seçmenlerin adayları veya partileri reddedebilmelerinin, siyasete ve partilere karşı ilgisizliklerini güçlendirebileceğini belirtmiştir. Bu çalışmada oy pusulalarında “yukarıdakilerden hiçbiri” ya da benzeri seçenekler sunan ülke örnekleri genel olarak incelenecektir.

Keywords

“yukarıdakilerden hiçbiri”, “bu adayların hiçbiri”, protesto oylaması, boş oy.

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