MBMC taps social media to attract young voters

Local collegians turn brand ambassadors for new voter campaign

Recognising the power of social media, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has starting using e-platforms including - Facebook , Twitter and WhatsApp - to attract local youth to take part in the electoral process.

Apart from attractive jingles, audio/ video messages being flashed on social media platforms, the civic administration in an innovative initiative has turned local collegians into brand ambassadors by featuring their photographs on awareness posters.

Following the Election Commission (EC) directives, the MBMC in association with the district administration has commenced a special summary revision of electoral rolls and those who would attain the age of 18 years by January 1, 2017 can register to become voters. As per the public appeal issued by MBMC chief Dr Naresh Gite, the drive took off on September 16 and will end on October 14.

Similarly, the process for name change, address or any other corrections will also be carried out during this period. In view of the introduction of four-member ward system, process is on to initiate fresh demarcation of wards in the MBMC jurisdiction.

With 46 panels comprising two wards each and one 3member panel, the strength of the civic body currently stands at 95 elected representatives. However, with the new rules in place for municipal corporation’s across the state, two panels, each comprising two wards would likely be clubbed into a single panel of four wards, officials said. The current five year term of the MBMC ends in August 2017.