Bengaluru: Free beer and taxi rides to woo voters in Indian city

Numerous businesses in Bengaluru, in southern India, are providing free meals and car excursions to voters who cast ballots in general elections.

Bengaluru, which is located in Karnataka position, is frequently in the media for its lower voter turnout.

Hotels, car services, and other businesses have therefore announced initiatives to encourage voter registration.

These include complimentary beer, reduced limo excursions, and even health check-ups.

Customers at some restaurants are required to display their fingernail stained with indelible pen as evidence that they have voted.

The town is voting on Friday in circular two of India’s seven- step election.

As long as it did never offend election rules, the state’s high court on Wednesday granted permission to an association of hotels to provide food for free or at discounted prices.

According to Computer Rao, chairman of the resort association, “different hotels and restaurants will be providing different points to the voters based on their personal calls.”

” While some of these sites will provide complimentary coffee, dosas]a pancake made from rice flour and chickpeas ] and fruit juices to overcome the warmth, some of the stores will give deals on meals or have some presents”, he added.

The town’s Bangalore South district had the lowest voter turnout in Karnataka state at 53.7 % in the previous general election in 2019.

Turnout was also low in Bangalore Central ( 54.3 % ) and Bangalore North ( 54.7 % ) compared with the state’s total turnout at 68 %.

Most businesses started enticing residents to cast ballots next month, but most also announced offers after the court order was given on Wednesday.

Wonderla, a well-known amusement park, is offering discounted tickets to voters, while Deck of Brews, a capital restaurant, is offering free ale to its first 50 citizens.

Ridesharing app Blu- Smart, meanwhile, is offering a 50 % discount to passengers traveling within 30km ( 18 miles ) of polling stations, while taxi aggregator Rapido is giving free rides to people with disabilities and elderly voters.

” This is our way of celebrating politics and the importance of voting”, Gopi Chand Cherukuri, the inc- chairman of Mr. Philly’s, told The Indian Express paper. The first 100 customers who vote at the diner will receive a 30 % discount on burgers and milkshakes.

” We hope that this program will pique the interest of Bengaluru residents who want to exercise their right to vote and make a difference.”