A shopping mall in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

The district administration has tied up with business establishments to offer discounts to first-time voters to cast their votes in the second phase polls scheduled to be held on April 17.

A first-time voter will have to show the indelible ink mark on his or her finger to get the discounts.

Various shopping malls and restaurants across the city are offering discounts ranging between 10 per cent and 15 per cent.

The move is aimed to ensure the youth voters’ participation. The Cuttack district houses over 18.9 lakh voters, including 10.13 lakh male and 8.77 lakh female. This year, nearly 58,000 youths are going to exercise their franchise for the first time.

“The voters’ turnout from urban middle class and youngsters is usually low. In 2009, the city had registered only 50 per cent polling,” said district magistrate Girish S.N.

The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society has tied up with hotels, shopping malls and other companies to offer discounts on various products.

“So far, we have tied up with Grand Residency Hotel and Reliance Trend, where the voters will get at least 15 per cent discount on lunch as well as various apparels,” said Bipin Rout of the development and marketing society.

He said the youngsters, especially in the age group between 18 and 25, would be eligible for the discounts.

Besides, the voters can get such discounts for a period of two days from April 17 to 18, he said.

Seikh Rashid, 18, another youth, said the move of offering discounts would help increase the voting percentage. “We are looking forward to vote as it will be for the first time that we would be exercising our voting rights,” said Rashid.

l Cuttack votes on April 17