Bengal district to lure voters with shopping offers

Kolkata, March 24 (IANS) Its raining discounts for voters in West Bengal's Burdwan district, courtesy a new strategy adopted by election officials to increase participation in the Lok Sabha poll.

Shoppers in the district can avail special concessions at malls and market places upon producing their electoral photo identity card (EPIC) on specific dates or by showing the left finger marked with indelible ink to prove that they have exercised their franchise, said Burdwan District Magistrate and District Election Officer (DEO) Saumitra Mohan.

"This is a first of its kind initiative in the country...where discounts will be offered to encourage more people to participate," Mohan told IANS over phone Monday.

"The offers have already begun in some places and they will extend for the next two days after the polling dates," he said, adding meetings were held with market committees, shopping malls and chambers of commerce to execute the venture.

The discount percentages vary from five to 10 percent.

The district has three Lok Sabha constituencies - Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur and Asansol.

The Burdwan initiative is set to be replicated in other districts as well, Mohan said.