EC's programme to awaken voters

The husky crooner may be roped in by the Election Commission as its brand ambassador with the specific assignment of encouraging Bihar voters to exercise their franchise. The move follows the concern expressed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi, who, a few days back, had said in Patna that he was disappointed over the poor turnout in successive elections in Bihar.

“I have been told that the poll percentage in Bihar had been quite low hovering around 40 per cent. We need to awaken our voters so that most of the electorate turn up on the polling day to exercise their franchise,” said the CEC. He even cited the example of Jharkhand where the EC had received tremendous response by making MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador during the polls.

As a consequence, the Bihar Chief Electoral Office recently sent some probable names to the EC for recommending as a brand ambassador, which included the names of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar and Dhoni. Sources said the names of two veteran actors from Bihar were also suggested but the proposal was shot down due to their political affiliations.

Sharda Sinha, a recipient of Padma award, is a popular name in Bihar. During the most auspicious festival Chhath (usually held in November), it’s her folk songs which can be heard on every nook and corner. “Since the election is also falling in the same period, the EC is mulling over the proposal that she be asked to appear on local channels and radio, and encourage voters to exercise their franchise on polling day,” said an EC source.