BMC polls: Whatever be your choice, but please vote, say candidates
After different organisations, NGOs, civic body and state election commission officials urged people to cast their vote on February 21 to improve the low voter turnout in the financial capital, it s now the turn of the candidates.
After different organisations, NGOs, civic body and state election commission officials urged people to cast their vote on February 21 to improve the low voter turnout in the financial capital, it s now the turn of the candidates.
The candidates are asking voters to turn up on Tuesday and exercise their franchise, irrespective of the party they vote for. Shiv-Sena candidate Durga Shinde from Walkeshwar has kicked off her #WhatNowVoteNow campaign, where she is urging people to vote. The campaign reads, “Vote for the candidate of your choice, But do vote”.
“I am requesting the voters in my constituency to vote for me but the more important thing is for them to cast their vote and not skip it on the voting day. In my door-to-door campaign, I am requesting citizens to exercise their voting rights, irrespective of their political inclination,” said Durga Shinde. In the 2012 civic election, only 41.11 % voters had turned out to vote from D ward, of which Walkeshwar (ward 219) is part of.
BJP candidate Jitendra Ghadigaonkar from ward 115 (Bhandup) also undertook similar campaigning, encouraging a 100% voter turnout from Bhandup.
While more than 60% of Mumbai’s population are registered voters, the turn out during elections has always been dismal. In the 2012 civic elections, only 44% of the population turned up to vote. Of the 24 administrative wards, the island city has seen the lowest percentage with only 34.10% voters turning up to vote. The neighbouring wards also witnessed less than the city’s average voter turnout with the B ward at 37.38%, C ward at 37.13%.
With all four major parties running solo this election, the voter turnout will be an important factor to decide on who will rule the country’s richest civic body. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the election commission are leaving no stone unturned to spread awareness with incentives like free cab rides and discounts at city restaurants.
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