If you vote, democracy wins: Rahul Dravid

BENGALURU: “When everyone plays well, we can win the match. If you all vote, democracy wins. In cricket, every player is important. Even in democracy, all are important. I vote. You also vote,” says former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid in a video that was released by the Election Commission on Wednesday, a day after elections to the state Assembly was announced.

Karnataka’s chief electoral officer Sanjiv Kumar said Rahul Dravid will be the election icon and ambassador of the Assembly elections due on May 12 in Karnataka. He unveiled audio-visual clips of the former cricket star appealing to voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

“Dravid is one of the most recognisable faces and has taken up many such projects to promote social cause,” Kumar said. The video clips, each of around 30 seconds, have been shot both in Kannada and English. “These audio-visual capsules would be telecast on major channels and movie halls to create interest among the people to vote,” Kumar said.


As an election icon, Dravid will reach out to people through programmes such as Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) which aims at increasing voter turnout, as also quality of electoral participation in terms of informed and ethical voting, he hoped. With around 15.42 lakh first-time voters, Rahul’s special appeal among the youth is expected to play a major role in bringing them to the polling booths.

In the past, Dravid has been an ambassador for the Bengaluru Traffic police and his message “don’t try googlies on the road” appealing to young bike drivers on safe riding had gone viral.

DRAVID’S MESSAGE
Together, let’s play a fair game to make to democracy win. Say yes to ethical elections. Cast your vote to make democracy win. I ought to vote.

Dear young friends, now it’s time to step out and cast your eyes to the future. Cast your vote to make democracy win. I ought to vote. When everyone plays well, we can win the match. If you all vote, democracy wins. In cricket, every player is important. Even in democracy, all are important. I vote. You also vote.