Patna lures voters with discounts in theatres
PATNA: Cast your vote and then treat yourself to a movie at a theatre of your choice at half the price.
The novel incentive is on offer in Patna, where improving voter turnout seems a challenge.
According to a statement issued by the district administration, the decision was taken at a meeting chaired by DM Shirsat Kapil Ashok, which was attended by owners and managers of cinema halls across the city.
According to the statement, the administration has been roping in “all stakeholders,” including associations of cinema hall owners, schools, medicine shops, chambers of commerce etc. to improve the turnout in Patna Sahib LS constituency.
Voting is scheduled on June 1 in the constituency which earned the dubious distinction five years ago of registering the lowest turnout of just about 45 per cent.
“Accordingly, the cinema hall owners agreed to offer a flat 50 per cent discount to all those who turn up with the indelible ink on the finger. The discount will be available on June 1 and June 2,” the statement added.
Srinagar sets up colourful polling booths
To create a “festival-like environment” on the day of voting, poll authorities in Srinagar district have prepared 32 theme-based polling booths that are colour-coordinated as per its message.
Polling booths in pink, red, blue have been prepared as per their theme i.e women voters, PwD voters and young voters. Eight polling booths have also been set up to go with its theme of environmental sustainability.
Srinagar will vote to elect its Lok Sabha MP in the fourth phase on May 13.
“...the District Election Office, Srinagar has made polling stations colourfully vibrant, conveying special messages regarding women, persons with disabilities, (PwD) and the youth, besides (making) environmentally-viable and sustainable polling stations,” said Bilal Mohi-UdDin Bhat, District Election Officer (DEO), Srinagar.
Nearly 17.50 lakh people are going to decide the fate of the 24 candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha polls in Srinagar on May 13. Among these, over two lakh are the first-time voters, who are in the age group of 18-20.