In Dhanbad, vote and be a star

Ranchi, March 13

The Dhanbad district administration is set to launch a Facebook page to which voters can upload the photos of their inked finger to claim prizes.

This was one of several decisions announced on Wednesday after Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar had a meeting on the Election Commission's Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.

The coal-based industries of the area - SAIL, Tata Steel, Maithon Power Limited, BCCL, etc - considered "partners" under the SVEEP, have told the DC that they would do their bit to boost voter participation. "They told me they would consider doing things like giving a 10 per cent discount in their canteens to those who show their inked finger on election day," said Kumar. Considering that the polling day is a declared holiday, that offer would have to be give the next day.

These are apart from the routine assistance expected of partners under SVEEP, like printing and posting banners and stickers in their workplaces. "We will be coming up with a 21-point Action Plan soon. The idea is to have something or the other happening on each day after March 19. Banks have already promised to print posters, which will be stuck at ATMs," said Ranchi DC Vinay Kumar Choubey.

The Dhanbad district administration however, is going the extra mile. DC Kumar said that the entry fee to parks in the district could be slashed by up to 50 per cent on April 24, when Dhanbad votes.

"Through the Proud Voter Photo Contest, anyone who has voted can send upload a photo of their inked left index finger. Based on their creativity, the best three will be selected by an independent jury. The winner will be the proud voter icon of Dhanbad. Apart from an appreciation letter and reward, the winner will be featured in our billboards," said Dhanbad DC Kumar. "Young voters think the electoral process is a drab idea. We want to tell them that voting can be cool, that it can be a style statement," he added.