Attracting Voters to Polling Stations

By Farid Masood • Feb 9th, 2008 • Category: Pakistan Vote'08, Worth A Second Look • No Responses •

Since the independence of Pakistan, many elections were held, some under military coups and some under the rule of law. The voters turn out remained below 30% of the total registered voters except the turnout was above 40% in 2002 elections as mentioned by the Musharaf regime.

People don’t go to the poling stations for many reason and people cast their votes are those who had eaten lavish meals during election campaigns and those who are picked up by the candidates shuttle buses.

Here is an idea to attract the voters to cast their votes. Election Commission may set up a ‘U’ shaped passage may at such place that at the start of ‘U’ there is a polling both and at the end of that ‘U’ there is stall of cheap flour ‘ATTA’, edible oils ‘GHEE’, Pulses, rice etc . A voter should be allowed to purchase these materials at the rate less than the market one. Voter should be bound to vote before purchase of any item from their.

Believe me due to current turmoil of price hikes everyone will leave home to buy cheap edible items and if such remunerations offered the turn over will be above 80% of the total registered voters. Remaining 20% will have the following breakup:

1. Those who are rich and do need cheap edible items and have more power than the vote.
2. Those who are in graves and cannot come to buy cheap items.

Contesting candidates may also invest in such offers and ask the people to cast the vote and get a 5 kg Ghee in return. Believe me people would go to cast their vote to get 5 kg ghee thinking that this is the time to get the return of our vote as this candidate if elected will do nothing for us for next five years.