Deoghar district administration is using domestic LPG cylinders to propagate messages about the importance of voting and adhering to Covid safety norms ahead of the April 17 Madhupur byelection, the unique initiative drawing kudos from one and all.
Deoghar deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri, who is also district election officer, said they are working to ensure a grand turnout for the byelection as a part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign.
“Since cylinders are an invaluable part of every household, we decided to use them for creating awareness. As per the plan, before being delivered at one's home, every cylinder will carry the message_ 'Pehle mask ke saath matdan, fir jal-paan (First, wear a mask and vote. Then have a snack)'. We have directed all gas agencies in the Madhupur constituency to ensure these awareness stickers are pasted before dispatching cylinders," he said.
Awareness stickers being pasted on LPG cylinders before home delivery in Madhupur, Deoghar, on Friday. Telegraph picture
Bhajantri said the administration was roping in a large fleet of auto rickshaws to amplify the message. On Friday, a rally of autos was held as part of the voter awareness drive. “Since auto rickshaws are the backbone of public transport here, we have also decided to use them. They will also bear Covid and bypoll related messages while moving about,” he said.
The Madhupur Assembly segment is a part of the Godda parliamentary constituency. It has about 3.10 lakh voters. In 2019, the voting percentage was around 60.76 compared to a record 71 during 2014. District administration sources said that ensuring a better voting turnout would be a key challenge amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Auto-rickshaws ready and waiting in Madhupur on Friday. Telegraph picture
Bhajantri, however, said they were constantly exploring out-of-the-box ideas to create awareness .
The nomination process is on. Minister Hafizul Hassan was among the first to file his candidature as joint candidate of the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance. BJP nominee Ganga Narayan Singh is expected to file his nomination soon.
