Elections 2024: Bhopal launches lucky draw to boost voter turnout
In a unique effort to stimulate voter participation for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bhopal district administration in Madhya Pradesh has initiated a lucky draw. This inventive campaign offers voters a chance to win prizes such as diamond rings, televisions, scooters, bikes, and refrigerators. The district election office is managing this initiative under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.
Why does this story matter?
The lucky draw was introduced in response to a concerning decrease in voter participation in MP, which has seen an average drop of over 8.5% compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The step was initiated after Bhopal's voter turnout in 2019, when the voting percentage across India was high, which was recorded to be relatively low at 65.7%. The campaign aims to address this issue by incentivizing voter participation. Polling in MP is being held in first four phases.
Here's how voters can participate in lucky draw
To participate in the lucky draw, voters are required to fill out forms with their mobile numbers, names, and voter IDs and deposit them into coupon boxes installed in Bhopal's New Market. District election officer Kaushlendra Vikram Singh explained that "on polling day, we will hold three lucky draws at every polling booth—at 10:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm." To claim a prize, winners must show the indelible ink mark applied after casting their vote.
Mega draw and prize distribution plans
Singh also revealed plans for a mega draw to be held a day or two after the election, where big prizes will be distributed. On polling day, an official and a volunteer will be stationed at each booth to ensure voters fill out their details correctly. "We will contact the voters and give them their gifts after each draw," Singh said. The date for the mega draw is yet to be decided but it is likely to be May 9.
Prizes include diamond rings, laptops, and mobile phones
Bhopal's SVEEP assistant nodal officer, Ritesh Sharma, disclosed that the prize pool includes five diamond rings, a laptop, a refrigerator, eight dinner sets, and two mobile phones. They are also aiming to add two-wheelers to the prize pool. Sharma shared that officials plan to honor every voter in each booth. "We are hopeful that there will be enough gifts," he said, indicating optimism about the initiative's potential success.
