Mumbai, 8th November 2024

In an effort to increase voter participation and raise voter turnout for the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election, the Chief Electoral Officer's Office, Maharashtra, launched a state-level voter awareness program today, 8th November 2024, at the iconic Gateway of India, Mumbai. The event, was attended by a distinguished group of dignitaries and celebrated public figures, marking the official start of a state-wide initiative aimed at educating and motivating voters ahead of the elections on 20th November 2024.

The event witnessed the participation of several prominent celebrities, including Rohit Shetty, Ananya Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Varsha Usgaonkar, Bharti Singh, and Harsh Limbachiya, who made special appeals to voters, encouraging citizens to cast their ballots. The event also saw the presence of Gauri Sawant (Transgender Rights Activist) and Nilesh Singit (Disability Rights Activist) as State Icons, highlighting the inclusivity of the campaign.

In India, if we have a voice, it is because we exercise our right to vote. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain. We are born in a democracy, and not every country is the same. We are fortunate to be Indians." – Rohit Shetty

Encouraging the citizens, Transgender Rights Activist Gauri Sawant mentioned that, "There are many things we inherit from our parents, but it is only the Right to Vote that is bestowed upon us by the Constitution. A special thanks to the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra for increasing the number of transgender voters from 1,000 to 6,000."

 

“I appeal to all Divyang voters to come out and cast their vote. The Election Commission of India has made many special arrangements to ensure a smooth voting experience for them."  Disability Rights Activist Nilesh Singit said.

Indian Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane said that, "It is important to step forward and vote to make your presence felt in society. Every vote matter, so come out and vote."

A significant component of today's event was the launch of the CBC Voter Awareness Van, a mobile unit that will travel across Maharashtra to spread essential information about the voting process. The van was inaugurated in the the presence of Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Hirdesh Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam, Deputy, CEO, Maharashtra, Kiran Kulkarni. Transgender Rights Activist, Shri Gauri Sawant, Disability Rights Activist, Nilesh Singit, Senior Actor Padmashri Manoj Joshi, Senior actor Varsha Usgaonkar, Musician and Singer Milind Ingale were also present.

The van is set to travel across 15 districts and 133 constituencies in Maharashtra, including areas with historically low voter turnout. It will serve as a key tool for spreading information about voting procedures, polling station locations, the model code of conduct, and reporting violations. This initiative aims to reach remote and underserved areas, ensuring that all citizens are well-informed and motivated to vote.

As part of the comprehensive voter engagement efforts, the event featured a variety of dynamic activities designed to raise awareness among the citizens of Maharashtra. The program began with a musical performance by the Police Band, performing an election-themed song, followed by a voter pledge taken by dignitaries, urging eligible voters to participate in the upcoming elections. A key highlight of the evening was the flash mob dance performance, which energised the crowd with a vibrant and engaging display emphasizing the importance of voting in a fun, interactive way. The program also featured musical performances by Vaishali Made, Rahul Saxena, Milind Ingale, and Subodh Jadhav, who performed election-themed songs that urged the audience to actively participate in the electoral process.

 

Additionally, the event also saw the launch of a Postal Special Cover, dedicated to voter awareness and civic participation.

In addition to the event at Gateway of India, a special voter awareness rally was launched to cover 28 locations in the Colaba area and other parts of Mumbai city and suburbs, which have experienced lower voter turnout in previous elections. This rally, beginning at the Gateway of India, is a crucial part of the drive to increase voter participation and spread awareness about the electoral process in key areas.

The voter awareness program was designed to engage all segments of society, with particular emphasis on youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWD), transgender communities, and senior citizens. The campaign's inclusive approach is aimed at ensuring that voters from all walks of life have access to the information they need to exercise their democratic rights.

The evening culminated in a laser show at the Gateway of India, lighting up the iconic monument in celebration of voter engagement. This was followed by flash mobs, mascot interactions, and the creation of a selfie point for the public, further enhancing the interactive and festive atmosphere of the event.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer, P. Pradeep, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Vijay Rathod, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, K. Suryakrishnamurthy, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Vivek Phansalkar, Municipal Commissioner, Mumbai City, Bhushan Gagran, Additional Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner (City), Ashwini Joshi, Additional Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner, Dr. V.P. Sharma, Additional Election Officer, Dr. Amit Saini, Additional Election Officer, Abhijeet Bangar were also present.

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DL/PK

 

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