In two projects, we study protest voting and candidate selection by political parties in the context of Indian elections. 

The first study investigates the role of protest voters using the introduction of the "None Of The Above" (NOTA) option on Indian ballots. Findings reveal that in the absence of NOTA, most protest voters abstain or disperse their votes among multiple candidates, having little impact on election results. The introduction of NOTA, however, provides a clear outlet for voter dissatisfaction, and this increases political participation.

The second study explores how Indian political parties choose candidates, including those with criminal backgrounds. We find that parties consider several factors other than voter support. While parties like winning, they often avoid overly popular candidates to prevent internal power struggles. Candidates with criminal histories can be selected because they are relatively easy to recruit, as well as for strategic reasons. Policies banning criminal candidates could sometimes benefit the major parties. 

Together, these studies offer a nuanced understanding of voter behavior and party strategies in India's electoral landscape, highlighting the potential benefits of reforms like NOTA and stricter candidate selection policies.