Show the ink and sign up for discounts on flights, food, hotels

Voters in India’s ongoing general election don’t just get to choose the composition of the next lower house of parliament – they are also spoilt for choice by the offers and discounts lined up by companies across sectors such as hospitality, aviation, healthcare and ride-hailing services in a bid to boost their business as well as encourage people to participate in the largest carnival of democracy.

From discounts on food, flights and hotels to free full body check-ups in hospitals and offers at amusement parks and salons, an array of goodies awaits those who have voted, with their inked fingers marking them out, said industry executives.

“It has become an extended weekend because of the election holiday in Uttar Pradesh and we expect good business because some restaurants in Noida will offer a 20% democracy discount to inked voters. I think all companies in the services industry should consider this," said Varun Khera, chapter head for Uttar Pradesh, National Restaurant Association of India.


Restaurants such as Café Delhi Heights, F Bar, I Sacked Newton, Noida Social and The Beer Café will offer “democracy discounts” to inked voters in Noida as it goes to polls on Friday.

Air India Express is giving first-time voters aged 18-22 years a 19% discount on domestic and international flight tickets for travelling to their home constituencies and back. Since the offer was launched by the airline on April 19, one out of every 20 bookings has been by a first-time voter, said people in the know.

The airline, which has a strong presence on India-West Asia routes, has seen a large number of first-time voters travelling from Sharjah and Dubai to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the people said. Similarly, there has been an increase in first-time voters from metro cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai to West Bengal, Jharkhand and the Northeast, they said.

To get the discount, voters have to identify themselves as first-time voters while booking. At airports, the airline is checking voter identity cards of those who have chosen this option.

“As a brand that champions connectivity and inclusivity, Air India Express is committed to empowering the youth and fostering active citizenship. With a fifth of the world’s youth demographic, India’s demographic dividend can also be the world’s democratic dividend,” said Siddhartha Butalia, chief marketing officer, Air India Express.

Electric vehicle ride-hailing service BluSmart said that on polling dates in Bengaluru and Delhi, it will offer discounted rides to its customers, enabling eligible citizens to cast their vote.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) said on Thursday that it has issued an advisory to its members to promote voter participation among their patrons. “We have suggested that member establishments offer special discounts on food bills to customers who display the mark of the indelible ink on their finger, signifying that they have cast their vote,” said Pradeep Shetty, president of the association.

Sumant Arora, CEO of Enrich, said the salons chain will offer a 50% additional discount or reward points to members for a week from the voting date in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Indore and Pune.

Divya Aggarwal, chief growth officer at Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality which owns Social said the brand has introduced a special initiative across its outlets by issuing special bills with a message encouraging people to vote. Guests who bring back these bills after voting and show their inked fingers, will receive a 20% discount on their meal. The offer is valid for a week from the date of voting in respective cities, she said.

Amusement park chain Wonderla will offer a 15% discount on tickets to customers who vote in Bengaluru. “Show your inked finger and enjoy the thrill of democracy and amusement park fun,” the chain said in a post on X.