Mumbai: This assembly election would be the costliest ever. Poll expenses, funded by the public exchequer, are expected to be around Rs 420.9 crore this year—considerably higher than Rs 260.3 crore in 2009. The 2004 assembly polls had cost the state around Rs 180 crore, say Election Commission officials.
Much of the increased expenses will go into ensuring maximum registration of voters and voter turnout, managing poll staff and infrastructure, booths and security, and, lastly, creating awareness about ethical voting. For this, festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Navratri will be used as a social platform in a large way.
"We will use the festivals as a platform to create awareness. Campaign meetings, rangoli competitions, street plays, human chains, debates, youth festivals, sports, and quiz programmes will be held to involve young voters," said Shirish Mohod, deputy chief electoral officer and in-charge of the EC's voter awareness campaign.
"The commission wants people to think twice before casting their vote to elect a strong government. The commission's campaign will be aimed at youngsters and women. Our experience shows they do no come out to vote as per expectations," said another official.
Records of the previous four elections reveal fewer youngsters and women voted than their numbers on the census and voters' roll. Their numbers were less than those voters who had crossed 40 years of age.
A senior official said the commission's campaign would be uniform across all platforms so that it does not get any religious colour.
Commission officials said ethical voting means avoiding candidates who can bribe voters as "such individuals can indulge in corrupt practices once they come to power".
Other than electing pro-people, pro-development and honest representatives, the commission, in its appeal letters distributed in the recent general elections, had also asked voters to elect those who can take care of people's interests with a greater, national perspective.
Much of the increased expenses will go into ensuring maximum registration of voters and voter turnout, managing poll staff and infrastructure, booths and security, and, lastly, creating awareness about ethical voting. For this, festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Navratri will be used as a social platform in a large way.
"We will use the festivals as a platform to create awareness. Campaign meetings, rangoli competitions, street plays, human chains, debates, youth festivals, sports, and quiz programmes will be held to involve young voters," said Shirish Mohod, deputy chief electoral officer and in-charge of the EC's voter awareness campaign.
"The commission wants people to think twice before casting their vote to elect a strong government. The commission's campaign will be aimed at youngsters and women. Our experience shows they do no come out to vote as per expectations," said another official.
Records of the previous four elections reveal fewer youngsters and women voted than their numbers on the census and voters' roll. Their numbers were less than those voters who had crossed 40 years of age.
A senior official said the commission's campaign would be uniform across all platforms so that it does not get any religious colour.
Commission officials said ethical voting means avoiding candidates who can bribe voters as "such individuals can indulge in corrupt practices once they come to power".
Other than electing pro-people, pro-development and honest representatives, the commission, in its appeal letters distributed in the recent general elections, had also asked voters to elect those who can take care of people's interests with a greater, national perspective.
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