Haryana Goes Musical to Woo Young Voters

In a unique initiative aimed at encouraging young voters to exercise their franchise, the Haryana Election Commission has decided to rope in musical bands to perform election-themed songs across the state. With a significant portion of the electorate comprising first-time and young voters, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure their enthusiastic participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Rhythm and Awareness

According to Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal, the first band performance is scheduled to take place soon in Panchkula. "The band will perform and election-theme music will be played," he said, adding that these musical events will be held in districts with a higher percentage of young voters. The primary objective of this initiative is to promote awareness and education regarding the election process while encouraging people, especially the youth, to cast their votes on the day of polling.

Reaching Out to the Youth 

With over 3.65 lakh voters in the 18-19 age group and more than 39 lakh voters aged between 20 and 29 years, the Election Commission recognizes the importance of engaging the young electorate. Agarwal appealed to the youth across the state, including first-time voters, to actively participate in the electoral process, underscoring the power of democracy and the significance of their vote. "When the youth engage with the electoral process, they understand the power of democracy and the importance of their vote," he said.

Innovative Approaches for Higher Turnout

The musical initiative is part of the state election department's broader efforts to increase voter turnout. The state recorded a 70 percent voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and this time, the goal is to push it to at least 75 percent. In addition to the musical performances, the department has launched several unique initiatives, including the 'Voters-in-Queue' app, which provides information about queue lengths at polling centers, allowing voters to plan their visits accordingly.

The department has also sent polling invitations to voters akin to wedding invitations and set up 31 polling booths in multistorey societies in Gurugram. "I am hopeful that Haryana will register record polling this time," Agarwal said, emphasizing the department's commitment to facilitating a seamless and inclusive voting experience.