From producing rap songs and videos targeting young voters to plans to distribute sweets at polling stations to first-time voters, the Kerala Election Commission is doing all it can to achieve the target of 85% voter turnout in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar is leading initiatives to motivate people to exercise their right to vote and create conducive conditions for voters at polling booths especially in the harsh summer.
The average turnout in state assembly elections in the last decade has remained stuck in the 70s – from 75.26% in 2011, 77.53% in 2016 to 75.6% in 2021. Abstention from voting in major cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and marginally lower voter turnout in the central and southern regions of the state are often cited as reasons for lethargy among residents. Voters.
This time, Kelkar, the state’s top election official, said they had set a target of at least 85% turnout. This may seem like a high goal, but the Commission has held multiple meetings with stakeholders and political parties to design new initiatives to target key voter segments, including young voters under 30 as well as elderly and differently-abled citizens.
“We have drawn a map of the entire state to identify polling stations where the voting percentage was below the state average in the last two elections. Based on the maps, we have created an outline of what kind of activities we can do around these polling stations. We have created local plans for local residents in order to appeal to them to come and vote,” Kelkar told HT.
As part of these initiatives, the Commission plans to distribute sweets to 200 first-time voters at designated booths in all the 14 districts as a gesture of thanks. She also released an anthem for Generation Z to motivate young voters to come to the polls.
In another video produced to raise electoral awareness, Kelkar himself, along with Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari, appeared in a lively dance video, matching steps on the beachfront and urging young voters to participate in the democratic exercise. The video with catchy lyrics like “This is your voice and our country needs your voice” became a huge hit on social media platforms.
Kelkar added that the 2,000 electoral literacy centers also play an important role in increasing voter awareness.
In addition, ride-hailing services like Uber promised to offer free rides to polling stations within a two-kilometre radius in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
