• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Fri, 10 Nov 2023 06:44 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections has resorted to cartoon characters to spread election awareness in an innovative drive to make people acquainted with their power to exercise their franchise. The Bhopal district administration is making this unique appeal in association with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

ADR is a non-profit organisation that discloses the criminal, financial, and educational background of the candidates contesting elections.

The cartoon characters were seen carrying a signboard in which it was written that 'Madhya Pradesh karega vote, Bhopal karega vote' (Madhya Pradesh will vote, Bhopal will vote) and roaming in the markets in the city.

 

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A volunteer of ADR, Rakesh Pandit said, "The Cartoon Characters are helping in making people aware about voting in the state capital Bhopal. This appeal is being made by the ADR and the district administration."

The Election Commission is eyeing to ensure that voting in the upcoming state assembly poll should be more than that of the previous 2018 assembly polls, he added.

Besides, several awareness campaigns are being held in different ways across the state in which various social organisations and NGOs are actively taking part to increase the voting percentage in the polls scheduled to be held this month.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the five states set to undergo polls in one phase on November 17 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3. Voters will choose legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. 

Meanwhile, ADR in its report found out that of the 2,534 candidates, at least 19 per cent are facing criminal charges, as compared to 17 per cent out of the 2,716 candidates in the 2018 polls. 

"Out of 2,534 candidates analysed, 711 are from national parties, 103 are from state parties, 553 are from registered unrecognised parties and 1,167 candidates are contesting independently," the report stated. 

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(With agency inputs)