Maharashtra elections: BMC ropes in 740 NGOs for large turnout in state polls

If Mumbai sees a large voter turnout for the assembly elections on October 15, you must give some credit to the civic body. For, the corporation has undertaken an initiative to coax citizens to exercise their franchise.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to use the services of 740 NGOs with whom it has a tie-up under its Swachcha Mumbai Prabodhan Abhiyan (a cleanliness campaign).

The corporation has 9,500 volunteers working for it under the abhiyan. The volunteers will reach out to electors appealing them to vote. The volunteers will raise awareness through street plays. Plus, a chariot will keep roaming across city spreading word about voting.

Mumbai saw 55 per cent voter turnout during this year's general elections. It was a dismal 45 per cent during civic polls in 2012. The figure was equally dull during 2009 state polls – a mere 45.98 per cent, drawing huge criticism for its apathetic response to the democratic process.

"We are also going to rope in municipal school teachers and students, national service scheme students, civic health servants, women help groups and others for the purpose. It is important that people come out in big number to vote which will help strengthen democracy," a senior civic official said, wishing not to be named.

Kings Circle-based civic activist, Nikhil Desai, who has been part of such programmes in his area, said the corporation should take up such initiative wholeheartedly. "The corporation had undertaken a similar initiative during the Lok Sabha elections. But its efforts did not reflect on election day as scores of names were missing from the voters' list. The municipal staff must take the job seriously or else, the whole purpose will be defeated," Desai said.

Desai, who is also a member of NGO AGNI, suggested the BMC to instead take up voters' slips distribution programme in advance in order to give better service to public. "During the parliamentary elections, the election commission could not reach out to the public in time to distribute voters' slips. With the help of the commission, the BMC start the activity 10 days in advance. This will help the public than the I-will-vote-type pledge," the activist added.

How Mumbai has turned out so far

Lok Sabha: April 2014- 55 %
BMC: February 2012- 45 %
Assembly: October 2009- 45.98 %
Lok Sabha: April 2009- 41.5 %