Chatbot, election guide to help raise LS turnout

MUMBAI: In order to encourage citizens to cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, city-based non-governmental organisations (NGOS) are planning campaigns which will help increase voter turnout.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled between April and May, the awareness campaigns will begin in March.

The Litmus Test Project (LTP), working towards active citizenship, plans to raise awareness via a chatbot, release a voters’ guide and collaborate with Twitter to release videos which will carry messages on the importance of voting.

“Through a voters’ guide, we are looking to help people make an informed decision. They will be informed about the role of a member of Parliament [MP], and the various aspects and issues that one must look at while deciding their vote,” said Ruben Mascarenhas, co-founder, LTP.

The chatbot will help citizens know about their candidates and polling booths for the elections. The NGO had collaborated with the state election commission for the 2017 civic polls and their project was successful in increasing voter turnout in the city by 12%.

In the M-east ward (Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, Govandi), more than 250 youth volunteers will run a campaign to inform people about the benefits of voting.

“Around 33% of people in Shivaji Nagar and Govandi do not have voter ID cards. We will encourage them to get their names registered. We are also speaking with other NGOS to run similar campaigns. This is the first step to ensure effective governance and responsible citizenship,” said Arun Kumar, CEO, Apnalaya, an NGO working in the slums of Shivaji Nagar. Meanwhile, the NGO Yuva will focus on first-time voters in the city.

“Starting March, we will run a registration and awareness campaign among voters,” said Marina Joseph, a member of Yuva.