Brief:
- Bengaluru businesses are offering incentives like discounted tickets, free beer, and reduced taxi fares to encourage voter participation in the general election.
- Voter turnout in Bengaluru has historically been low, with constituencies like Bangalore South recording percentages below the state average.
- Initiatives to boost voter turnout include discounts on food, rides, and even complimentary health check-ups, aimed at celebrating democracy and emphasizing the importance of voting.
Bengaluru: Free beer and taxi rides
Numerous businesses in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru are providing various incentives, ranging from complimentary meals to transportation, to encourage participation in the general election.
Bengaluru, situated in Karnataka state, often grapples with low voter turnout, prompting hotels, taxi services, and other establishments to launch initiatives aimed at motivating people to vote.
Bengaluru: Free beer and taxi rides to woo voters in Indian city https://t.co/hDM6W1Mfmf
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These initiatives encompass offerings such as free beer, reduced taxi fares, and even complimentary health check-ups. Some eateries require customers to display their ink-stained fingers as evidence of voting.
The city is scheduled to vote on Friday as part of the second round of India's seven-phase election. Additionally, the state's high court has permitted a hotel association to offer free or discounted food, provided it complies with election regulations.
Voter Incentives and Turnout Statistics in Bengaluru
PC Rao, the president of the hotel association, informed the Bangalore Mirror newspaper that various hotels and restaurants will offer different incentives to voters based on their preferences.
Some establishments will provide complimentary coffee, dosas, and fruit juice to help voters cope with the heat, while others will offer discounts or special promotions on food items.
During the last general election in 2019, Bengaluru's Bangalore South constituency recorded the lowest voter turnout in Karnataka state at 53.7%.
Similarly, turnout percentages in Bangalore Central and Bangalore North were relatively low at 54.3% and 54.7%, respectively, compared to the state's overall turnout of 68%.
Many businesses began encouraging residents to vote early last week but finalized and announced their offers following the court's ruling on Wednesday.
Businesses Offer Voter Incentives in Bengaluru
Wonderla, a popular amusement park, is providing discounted tickets to voters, while Deck of Brews, a local pub, is offering complimentary beer to the first 50 customers who have cast their votes.
Additionally, ridesharing app Blu-Smart is giving a 50% discount on trips within a 30km radius of polling stations, and taxi aggregator Rapido is offering free rides to elderly and disabled voters.
Gopi Chand Cherukuri, co-founder of Mr. Philly's restaurant, stated to The Indian Express newspaper that these initiatives aim to celebrate democracy and emphasize the importance of voting.
The restaurant is extending a 30% discount on burgers and milkshakes to the initial 100 voters at the establishment, hoping to inspire enthusiasm among Bengaluru citizens to exercise their voting rights and make a positive impact.
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