Knock, knock! I’m here to help

It is usual for people to be apprehensive whenever a stranger knocks the door. The Area Voter Mitras (AVMs), working on the Bangalore Electoral Systems Transformation (BEST), an initiative by Janaagraha, too face this sense of suspicion.

To clear apathetic reaction from citizens, Janaagraha on Tuesday organised a campaign to clear people’s apprehension.

As part of BEST, the AVMs go door to door with the checklists to ensure that citizens’ records are updated correctly on the electoral rolls. They also encourage people to get voter identity cards with their help for free.

However, many of these volunteers are mistaken as salespersons. “People think us to be saleswoman. I used to tell them that we have come here for their welfare. We have to leave if they are not cooperative,” said Deepa Bhurani an AVM in Shantinagar.

“I was also amazed when educated people turned us off or said that they do not want ID cards,” said Bhurani.

Other AVMs also faced similar challenges. Residents either turned them off or distrusted them. However, undeterred, some of them persevered in their campaign.

“I have faith in my country’s democracy. When such an avenue unravelled before me, I took it up as I realised that we need to correct the voters’ list,” said M Venkatesh, an AVM in Shantinagar constituency.