Push turnout: Cycles rally youth with ‘First Vote’ plea

Hyderabad: Taking into consideration the poor turnout of voters in the city in the past few election years, the Times of India in association with the Election Commission of India (ECI) flagged off 25 tricycles with posters of ‘No Excuses Day’ campaign on them to encourage public participation in the electoral process at Necklace Road on Sunday.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Telangana Rajat Kumar, actively working towards increasing the voting percentage this time, flagged off the tricycles and urged youngsters to come out and vote in large numbers. One’s first vote always is special, he said.


“These initiatives will encourage the youth to come out and vote. Their participation is not important only for increasing the number of votes. They also bring in new thoughts and fresh perspectives into play. Once they are involved into the political process, it is good for the country as a whole,” said Rajat Kumar. “We are making every effort to increase voter turnout this time. We had a good response with the enrolment drive. Now, we must see how that will be translated into voting,” he said.

The 25 tricycles that were flagged off will tour across the city reminding people of their responsibility to vote for the next few days until elections.

As part of the ‘No Excuses Day’ campaign, another event was organised by TOI and Election Commission of India last week at Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology where more than 200 students took a pledge to cast their vote.