Vote And Save! Mumbai Voters To Enjoy Up To 20% Discounts On Election Day As Part Of Special Campaign
Mumbaikars casting their votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20 will not only exercise their democratic rights but also enjoy exclusive discounts across select shops, restaurants, and multiplexes. Election Commission officials announced the incentive on Friday, with discounts of up to 20% available to voters who present their inked fingers as proof of participation.
The initiative, intended to boost voter turnout, was finalized after discussions with representatives from various trader, restaurant, and multiplex associations, according to the poll body. To further promote voting awareness, the Election Commission launched a campaign titled ?Utsav Nivadnukicha, Abhiman Maharashtracha? (Festival of Elections, Maharashtra's Pride), aiming to inspire increased public involvement in the electoral process.
In a lively event at Mumbai?s iconic Gateway of India, officials from the Election Commission, Mumbai Police, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) gathered alongside Bollywood stars Varsha Usgaonkar, Mohan Joshi, director Rohit Shetty, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane to kick off the campaign. India Post commemorated the occasion by releasing a special postal cancellation, which will be in use until election day on November 20.
?This unique discount initiative was conceptualized by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, also the district election officer for Mumbai city and the Mumbai suburban district,? explained Farogh Mukadam, Mumbai?s nodal election officer. Gagrani held a meeting on October 31 with representatives from the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, Multiplexes Association of India, Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), and other trade groups to bring this plan to life.
Leading multiplex chains such as PVR Inox, Cinepolis, Mirage, Sterling, Mukta, MovieMax, and Movie Time have agreed to offer 20% discounts on movie tickets from November 20 to 22. Additionally, AHAR has announced discounts ranging from 10% to 20% on food at participating restaurants on November 20 and 21, provided customers show their inked fingers. The offer, however, is limited to in-person orders and does not apply to online bookings or food delivery.
Retail outlets are also joining the voter discount program, with the Maharashtra Retail Association and Reliance Retail pledging 10% to 15% discounts on November 20.
This is not the first time Mumbai businesses have stepped up to encourage civic participation. During this year?s Lok Sabha elections, a number of restaurants and retail shops independently offered discounts to voters, underscoring a growing trend of supporting democracy through commercial incentives.
