Keeping in mind the upcoming long weekend that may tempt some ‘voters’ to go on a vacation and strong anti-incumbency factor in some constituencies, the resident associations are trying hard to ensure a comparatively better voter’s turnout today. They are using every trick in the book — from morning walk talks to door-to-door campaigning to e-mails to SMS campaigns— for encouraging residents to cast their votes.

“We have been preparing for this (voting) day since last one month. We organised ‘Meet Your Candidate’ meets and also made polling booths in our area user-friendly for both citizens and the polling staff,” said Indrani Malkani, founder-trustee and secretary, Malabar Hill Residents’ Association (MHRA). Malkani adds that awareness about voting has improved among people over past few years.

The fear of anti-incumbency looms high in the area and hence possibility of people going for ‘protest vote’ option is also high. Malkani and others of her kind have used morning walks to create awareness about the restriction of this option. “The protest vote is of no consequence as the electorate is yet to completely recognise this option. So we are sensitising people to go for the least bad candidate than completely abstaining from voting,” said Malkani.

In another part of the city, a large number of youngsters have been roped in to ensure people don’t go on vacation during this weekend without voting. “Since last month, we had been saying ‘vote at eight’ (am) but now our mantra is vote at seven. We understand that people want to go on holidays but it should be done only after casting their votes. This time we really want the middle class to vote,” said Willy Shirshat, president, Borivali-Dahisar Jagrut Manch. Special vehicles have also been arranged for the senior citizens and physically disabled. “We have asked friends who have vehicles and ambulances to help us in getting the participation of senior citizens and disabled,” said Shirshat.

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