A surprise awaited in Chikmagalur for voters who skipped voting to go on a pleasure trip.
The government had declared a holiday on Thursday under Negotiable Instruments Act (NIA) to ensure that all eligible voters cast their votes.
A group of tourists, who were techies working for different software firms in Bengaluru, were stopped near Magadi handpost and Kaimara.
After ascertaining that the young and educated making the pleasure trip had not exexercised their franchise, the activists, some of them being journalists, felicitated the tourists in a unique manner - with a shawl and garlands with photo copies of Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, ration card and other things.
The activists also lectured on how voting is not just a right, but an act of responsibility. The tourists were aso chided on how they were wrong in not exercising their franchise despite possessing Aadhaar, voter ID and PAN
cards.
A few tourists brazenly declared that they did not like any candidates. The revellers were informed about the ‘NOTA’ provision. They were allowed to proceed after the tourists pledged to exercise their franchise in the next election without fail.
The activists later lamented that many among the tourists lacked awareness about the responsibility of voting. Journalists’ Union President G M Rajashekhar, general secretary Byaladalu Kumar, Adoor Rajesh and others were present.
“It is frustrating that many young and old people prefer going on a trip instead of casting of their vote as they feel voting is insignificant,” a journalist rued.
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