Housing societies across Pune took direct action on Thursday to combat voter apathy. They launched campaigns to educate residents about the updated voting format and encourage participation. Many societies used WhatsApp groups, internal polls, and door-to-door visits to achieve this goal.
Clarifying the New Voting Process
Chaitanya Sharma, a member of the Keshavnagar Welfare Association, explained the initial challenge. "Confusion over the voting process had deterred many residents initially," he said. "This election format, with four votes and multiple candidates, is new to people. Our first aim was to teach residents how to vote."
Societies ran awareness campaigns to explain the process clearly. On polling day, associations initiated informal WhatsApp polls within their internal groups to track participation. "We urged societies to run simple polls asking how many family members have voted," Sharma noted. "In my society, around 100 people had voted by afternoon."
This exercise served a dual purpose. It motivated residents and helped assess real-time turnout. Sharma observed a stronger desire to vote this time. Residents viewed the civic polls as the most immediate opportunity to address long-pending local issues.
Coordinated Efforts in Koregaon Park
Similar initiatives emerged from Koregaon Park and adjoining areas. Resident welfare associations focused on voter education well before polling day. Rohan Desai, founder of the Koregaon Park Residents Welfare Association, detailed their approach.
"Our parent body, the National Association for Clean Cities, worked well in advance through mohalla committees," Desai said. They guided voters on checking their names in the voters list. They also addressed issues like duplicate or multiple entries through coordinated messaging in neighbourhood-level networks.
Associations specifically targeted residents disillusioned with politics. "Many were upset that things don't change," Desai added. "We told them to at least go and vote, even if it is for NOTA. Voting is a way to register dissatisfaction too."
Last-Minute Reminders and Motivational Appeals
Core members of several housing society associations kept posting reminders on WhatsApp groups. They urged people to vote before the 5:30 PM deadline. Dattatraya Deshmukh, chairman of Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation, was particularly active.
He repeatedly posted on various housing society groups with a clear message. "We lose the right to complain when we don't vote," Deshmukh emphasized. "Members of large societies should vote to ensure that they get the desired candidate, who will get work done. Citizens can't avoid elections, consider it a holiday, and then grumble."
Financial Incentives Boost Participation
Some societies introduced tangible rewards to encourage voting. The Ravet housing society Sai Platinum offered a creative incentive. They promised residents Rs 1,000 off on one month of maintenance if all eligible voters in the family cast their vote.
This acted as a powerful motivator. The society achieved an impressive 98% voter turnout among its residents. Society chairman Amol Kalekar explained the rationale behind such measures.
"Educated people must step out to vote," Kalekar stated. "Only then will politicians take cognisance of our issues. Slum-dwellers are big vote banks. Therefore, they are given innumerable schemes and their issues are always resolved."
He urged society residents to maintain consistent voting habits. "Those living in societies must keep voting to tip the scale in their favour," Kalekar advised. "They should elect someone who will look after their demands, instead of ignoring them."
The collective efforts across Pune's housing societies demonstrate a proactive approach to civic engagement. By combining education, technology, and motivation, they successfully addressed voter confusion and boosted participation in the democratic process.
