People in Uttarakhand will have a unique incentive to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The Uttarakhand Hotel Restaurant Association has announced a special offer: a 20% discount on food bills at hotels and restaurants affiliated with the association, for individuals who cast their votes on April 19. This initiative aims to boost voter turnout and encourage citizens to participate in the democratic process.
The association, in collaboration with the Election Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement this offer. Sandeep Sahni, President of the Uttarakhand Hotel Restaurant Association, shared details of the initiative, stating, “After the polling concludes on April 19, individuals who visit our member hotels will receive a 20% discount on their food bills until April 20. We have decided to implement this to encourage voter participation. To avail the discount, voters simply need to show the Electoral ink mark on their finger.”
This move comes as part of various efforts to increase voter turnout in the state. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande mentioned that several organizations are stepping up to support the cause of boosting voting percentages. The Election Commission has approved the proposal from the Uttarakhand Hotel Restaurant Association, recognizing the potential impact it could have on encouraging citizens to vote.
Uttarakhand is set to go to the polls for its five Lok Sabha seats in a single phase on April 19. In both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the ruling BJP-led NDA secured victories across all Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The constituencies include Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, and Hardwar.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to occur in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. This special discount offer aims to not only incentivize voters but also create awareness and excitement around the electoral process, ultimately contributing to a vibrant and engaged democratic exercise in Uttarakhand.
