Is there a role for Gah! in politics?

[Banquo's Ghost]

The short tangent explored in Pindar’s poll about the inclusion or otherwise of the Gah! Option inspired me to ask a question that is dear to my political heart:

Should ‘None of the Above’ (cf Gah!) be included on all ballot papers, and more importantly, tallied and given appropriate weight?

The argument for would be that abstention is a long cherished right, and that currently since abstainers are not counted, politicians can get away with pleasing only the small minorities that bother to go out and vote. Thus minority views tend to prevail under the guise of a ‘mandate’ whereas in fact the majority felt they were unable to vote positively because the choices on offer did not fit their views. Having abstentions count (these are actively cast votes for Gah!)would force politicians to engage with the silent majority, because they would not be able to form a government without a true majority. Thus they would have to excite people enough to want to vote for them, rather than abstain.

The argument against might be that people are naturally lazy, do not have any wish to engage in politics and therefore abstention is not a positive act of rebellion but one of sheer apathy. Because the unengaged or the wilfully destructive would always be in the majority, abstentions would only lead to paralysed government or endless elections. Undermining the idea of a mandate, even from a minority position, would mean weaker governments. In addition, one might see much more fracturing of parties into small interest groups in an attempt to please at least someone.

Any thoughts? (of course, Gah! is a completely acceptable response).