Araku, a Lok Sabha constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), saw the highest number of NOTA votes in Andhra Pradesh during the recent general election. Surprisingly, it also recorded the second-highest number of NOTA votes in India, with over 50,000 votes cast.
Factors contributing to this rise in NOTA votes include illiteracy and lack of awareness about the voting process using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), along with other social issues. Many areas in Araku still lack basic amenities like electricity, and voters often face challenges reaching polling booths, sometimes requiring hours of travel.
As one of the most underdeveloped segments in Andhra Pradesh, Araku’s high NOTA count suggests local residents are demanding better services from political parties across the state.
Other Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh also saw notable NOTA votes: Srikakulam (24,605), Vizianagaram (23,250), Eluru (22,515), Anakapalli (26,235), and Rajahmundry (24,435).