As part of a last ditch effort to get people to vote in greater numbers, the Election Commission has kickstarted a novel campaign with the central message being: “lakhs of Bangladeshis will be voting for an Indian government of their choice today. So why can’t you? If they are so concerned about their adopted country, why can’t you?” juxtaposed with visuals of Bangladeshis of different hues enthusiastically lining up in queues all over India, from Kohima to Kutch, Kishanganj to Kumaradhara, to cast their vote.

Lauding Bangladeshis for being role models when it comes to democratic participation, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said, “Bangladeshi boys are very meticulous about updating their details in the voter rolls and furnishing the requisite ids: ration card, aadhar card, BPL card, even NRI card, if required. If all Indians were as diligent, we would have 150% turn-out and a very robust mandate.”

The EC campaign seems to have hit the bull’s eye with thousands of Indians, who were otherwise planning to spend time on Facebook, going out to vote and immediately posting selfies on social media sites. The deluge has induced the Election Commission to make a new appeal: “By all means, upload your selfes displaying the ink-mark but please cut your dirty finger nails before doing so.”