Gift coupons replace cash and booze
VIJAYAWADA: As the Election Commission is coming up with new rules to curb the flow of money and baits in elections, politicians are coming up with innovative methods to woo voters in elections. Distribution of money, liquor, sarees, cricket kits have become old fashioned. Distribution of coupons is the latest way to woo voters.
'During municipal elections a contestant of a major political party distributed coupons for chicken and mutton in Krishnalanka area. As officials are keeping a vigilante eye on money distribution, contestants are coming up with innovative methods to woo voters. Distributing of coupons is one such ploy,' explains CPM city secretary Ch Babu Rao.
The reason behind distributing coupons is they are very convenient and make the job of contestants easy. Instead of personally distributing articles to each and every voter, if politicos give coupons and inform voters as to where they can use them, people themselves directly go to the shops and avail the benefits. Contestants can pay the amount in lump sum to the shop owner.
Coupons have become so popular that already three petrol bunks licenses have been suspended during Vijayawada Municipal Corporation elections for filling petrol in bikes which took part in the rally of a political party by accepting coupons.
While traditional methods have been followed in distributing baits to poor and below middle class voters innovative methods are being implemented in case of wooing middle class voters.
'Unlike low income group, people middle class people do not take moneymoney even if offered. Therefore politicians try to impress them in various ways.
During Vijayawada Municipal Corporation elections, a contestant presented our family of six with `5,000 in gift cover which was given as a return gift after inviting us to a function in their home,' explains a homemaker and a resident of Machavaram.
In the upcoming Assembly and general elections, the amount that are being spent are only going to increase in magnitude. Take for instance the case of a apartment at Satyanarayanapuram.
A contestant is already in talks with the apartment members that he will will take up the maintenance of the apartment for one year and spruce it up with painting and whitewashing if all of them vote for his party.
News Posted: 11 April, 2014
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