(This story originally appeared in on Apr 20, 2018)

Election fever may have reached its peak, but that does not mean “people would cross the road” and turn up to vote en masse, especially in Bengaluru. In any case, the city has a poor record in voting percentage.



To encourage and boost the polling percentage, the Election Commission is undertaking several measures. Even cricketer Rahul Dravid has been roped in as a poll mascot, urging citizens to exercise their franchise. This year, it’s seriously pondering closing down shopping malls and multiplexes in BBMP limits on May 12, the polling day, till 6 pm.It is learnt that the Election Commission has asked the election officers of Bengaluru district to close down shopping malls and multiplexes. The Election Commission, according to sources, feels that people, instead of going to polling booths, usually visit shopping malls and cinema halls. BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said the proposal was under consideration and final decision was awaited in this regard.Last elections, in an attempt to encourage better voter turnout, shops and hotels across the state had offered discounts and vouchers to customers who had inked their fingers.In the 2013 Assembly polls, Bengaluru recorded a turnout of 57 per cent against the state tally of 71 per cent. Again, the city turnout during the Lok Sabha polls was 52.3 per cent against the state’s 70 per cent. In the 2015 BBMP election, the city recorded just 44 per cent.Reacting to the move, K Ravi, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), said, “Since May 12 being a second Saturday, from business point of view, this is not a good move. The election process, from a voter point of view, does not require more than 10-15 minutes. We are a global economy and have to look from business point of view. What will we all do just sitting at home? In fact, the trade and industry should encourage voting. Ideally, employers should give 30 minutes to 1 hour permission to all employees to vote and come back. We already have too many national and public holidays. We are a global city. Everyone would want to enjoy their second Saturday. Promoting and encouraging people to vote would be a step in the right direction. Instead of closing shops, advertise more to encourage voting, As a chamber person, I do not recommend closure of malls. It’s up to the poll authorities anyway.”