To promote active participation in the Lok Sabha elections, the Mysuru district administration has made the strategic decision to close popular tourist destinations, including the renowned Mysuru zoo and picturesque Karanji lake, on April 26, the day elections commence in Karnataka. This initiative aims to minimize potential voter apathy and maximize turnout.
The state government has also declared public holidays on April 26 and May 7, the two scheduled dates for voting. Officials are particularly focused on enhancing voter participation in constituencies beyond Mysore, where the turnout in the previous Lok Sabha elections was 70.7%. This concern stems from observations that many individuals tend to plan long weekend trips when elections fall on weekdays like Friday.
To further incentivize voting, select hotels and restaurants in Mysuru are planning to offer special discounts to customers who present proof of casting their ballots. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, voter turnout in Bangalore South stood at 53.70%, Bangalore Central at 54.32%, and Bangalore North at 54.76%. The overall voter turnout in Karnataka was approximately 68%. The district administration’s efforts are aimed at surpassing these numbers and ensuring a robust mandate for the state’s representatives.
