Prabhu Prakash (name changed) used to organise auctions in a village near Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district at the time of elections in the State classified as "expenditure-sensitive" by the Election Commission.
The campaign managers of the contesting candidates used to vie with one another in making bids as the villagers en masse vote for the highest bidder at the behest of the community elders. The elders resorted to this unhealthy practice to get some benefits like community hall, renovation of the local temple and improvement of infrastructure in schools as it was only at the time of elections the leaders visited their village, a fisherman community elder said on condition of anonymity.
But things have changed for the better now with the election authorities taking up the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme in the coastal hamlets in 10 mandals to promote ethical voting.
An enlightened group of persons took a vow not to get lured by enticements offered by contesting candidates.
They have realised by taking a small amount at the time of elections they end up losers in the long run, they say.
"Our campaign to persuade members of GenX from the community has paid dividends," Society for Training and Employment Promotion (STEP) Chief Executive Officer B. Ravi, in-charge of SVEEP programme in the district, said on Sunday after engaging them in a serious discussion on ethical voting in the Mondivaripalem hamlet, near Ramayapatnam.
Important stakeholder
"We impressed upon the members of GenX saying they cannot expect the elected representatives to be responsive to their problems if they accepted inducements," said Indian Red Cross Society District Field Officer Abdul Kalam after a serious discussion on a boat with members of the community on the development process and problems faced by the State post bifurcation.
"We explained that each and every voter is an important stakeholder in the massive democratic exercise and they will lose their power to question the elected representatives if they accepted inducements," he said after taking up SVEEP programme in Gundayapalem village.
They were brought out of their homes for a "snake and ladder" game before starting a serious discussion.
A flashmob was organised at the Ravi Priya Mall to convey the ethical voting message to youth after entertaining them for some time.