The Election Commission in Kerala is taking bold steps to boost voter turnout in the upcoming Assembly polls, aiming for an impressive 85% participation. Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar is spearheading initiatives to motivate voters, particularly young people, elderly citizens, and those with disabilities.
From distributing halwa to first-time voters to launching a catchy Gen Z anthem, the Commission is pulling out all stops to achieve its target. A mapping exercise identified polling booths with historically low turnout, and local plans were created to appeal to the local population.
Other initiatives include distributing halwa to 200 first-time voters, a lively dance video featuring Kelkar and Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari, and 2,000 electoral literacy hubs raising voter awareness.
Ride-hailing services like Uber have also pledged to provide free rides to polling stations within a two-kilometre radius in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, making it easier for voters to exercise their franchise.
