SPOILT VOTE Meaning and
Definition
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A spoilt vote refers to a ballot paper that is rendered invalid or disqualified due to improper or incorrect marking, or any action that deviates from the prescribed voting regulations and requirements. Such a vote is considered null and void since it does not contribute to the final outcome of an election or decision-making process. In essence, a spoilt vote does not support any candidate or option, and it does not count towards the overall tally.
There are several reasons why a vote may be deemed spoilt. These include incorrectly marking the ballot, writing additional comments on the paper, marking or ticking multiple choices when only one is allowed, damaging or defacing the ballot, or placing identifying marks that may reveal the voter’s identity. Additionally, a voter may intentionally spoil their vote as a form of protest or objection to the available options or the electoral system itself.
Spoilt votes are often recorded and reported separately from valid votes, but they hold no influence on the final result. The number of spoilt votes is typically disclosed in election results to indicate the percentage of voters who either failed to correctly cast their vote or chose to deliberately invalidate their ballot. While spoilt votes can be an indication of voter confusion or dissatisfaction, they do not impact the overall outcome or alter the distribution of valid votes.
Etymology of SPOILT VOTE
The term "spoilt vote" is derived from British English and refers to a vote that is considered invalid or "spoiled". The word "spoilt" is the past participle of the verb "spoil", meaning to impair or damage the quality or efficiency of something. In the context of voting, a "spoilt vote" typically occurs when a ballot is marked incorrectly or defaced in a way that renders it ineligible to be counted.
