Dhoni's appeals draw voters to booths

A 20-second video capsule of the Election Commission shows "the man with the golden touch" playing a series of square cuts before appealing to the people to exercise their franchise in the ongoing five-phase assembly elections.

"We had devised several plans before the polls to encourage the people to cast their votes. The plan to rope in Dhoni has had a great impact and has paid off," said Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand A K Sinha.
 
"Dhoni is the icon of Jharkhand. We tied up with him as we expected his appeal will draw the people. We are happy that voting percentage has increased with every phase," Deputy Commissioner K K Soan, the person behind the idea, said.

In the video, Dhoni appeals to the electorate not to miss a chance to cast their votes and build their future through the ballot. The first phase recorded 52 per cent, the second phase 54 per cent and the third saw 55 per cent electorate turning up while the fourth round saw over 55 per cent polling.

The ad-capsule will be telecast till December 18, the final phase of polling, Soan said.