Amidst concerns over declining voter turnout, the Bhopal district administration in Madhya Pradesh has launched a unique initiative to attract voters in the upcoming third phase of Lok Sabha elections. Under the initiative spearheaded by the district election office as part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, a lucky draw has been announced offering enticing prizes including diamond rings, televisions, scooters, bikes, and refrigerators. The move comes in response to the lower voter turnout witnessed in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, particularly in Madhya Pradesh where the turnout has declined by over 8.5 per cent compared to the 2019 polls.
To encourage participation, coupon boxes have been strategically placed in prominent locations such as Bhopal’s New Market, with plans to expand the initiative to major malls and other key areas across the city. Speaking to ETV, CEO of Bhopal district panchayat Rituraj Singh emphasized the importance of boosting voter engagement, especially considering Bhopal’s relatively low voter turnout of 65.7 per cent during the 2019 elections amidst a higher national average.
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