People who vote will get discount from shops

BARDHAMAN: In a first of its kind initiative to encourage people to come in large number to vote, shopping malls, shops and business establishments in Bardhaman district will give special discounts to voters who show indelible ink mark on their left forefingers, official sources said today.

Burdwan District Magistrate and District Election Officer (DEO) Saumitra Mohan held series of meetings with various chambers of commerce, market committees, markets and shopping malls including big brands/market chains and persuaded them to give special discount to voters who show their EPIC or the indelible ink mark on their left forefingers to show that he/she has exercised franchise on pre specified dates, the sources said.

A voter can get some discount/concession while shopping at the production of his/her EPIC on the pre specified dates that he/she has exercised his franchise by showing left finger marked with indelible ink, the sources said.

"We hope that as a result of this initiative, first of its kind in the country, we shall encourage voter participation during the ensuing polls...the discount rates vary from 5 to 10 per cent depending upon the capacity of the vendor/agency concerned...," Mohan told PTI.

There are three Lok Sabha constituencies in Bardhaman district they are - Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman - Durgapur and Asansol.

Bardhaman Purba and Bardhaman Durgapur constituency will go to the polls on April 30 while the elections will be held in the Asansol Lok Sabha seat on May 7.