Mumbai: In a bid to increase voter turnout ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly general elections on November 20, the Election Commission of India, in collaboration with the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has launched a series of voter awareness initiatives on November 9 in Andheri West.

This campaign, organized as part of the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation Program (SVEEP), aims to encourage civic engagement through a mix of cultural activities and community participation.

A cycling rally took off from Dubhashi Maidan to Vileparle East, attracting citizens from across the Andheri West Assembly constituency in a show of enthusiasm. The rally, covering a nine-kilometre stretch to Juhu Chowpatty, was attended by notable personalities including BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, election inspector Narinder Singh Bali, veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure and actor Shreyas Talpade, among other eminent personalities.

Addressing the crowd, Commissioner Gagrani highlighted the importance of voting as the “foundation of democracy,” emphasizing the responsibility of every eligible citizen to exercise this right.

Echoing this sentiment, Election Inspector Bali stressed the need to treat Election Day as a celebration rather than just a public holiday. “Voting is our duty,” he stressed, calling on citizens to actively participate in the electoral process.

On reaching Juhu Chowpatty, the participants were greeted by a theater performance by ‘Jannat Productions’, titled Let’s Vote, which conveyed the importance of voting through dramatic narration. A signature campaign and a dedicated selfie point on the site further highlighted the theme of voter awareness.

The BMC had already launched a state-wide campaign on November 8 under the banner Utsav Niwadnukicha, Abhimaan Maharashtracha (Election Festival, Pride of Maharashtra) at India Gate. This event saw the release of the Marathi voting song Ye Pudhe Matadan Kar (Come ahead and vote), created to energize the voter base in Maharashtra.

The campaign, aimed at fostering a culture of democratic engagement, was inaugurated by a group of dignitaries, including Deputy Election Commissioner Hirdesh Kumar and BMC Commissioner Gagrani, along with a host of public figures such as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, actress Varsha Usgaonkar and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

Highlighting the duty to vote, Varsha Usgaonkar said, “Every vote is important and it is an important right. Special facilities are available for disabled and elderly voters to exercise their right to vote. Actress Sonali Khare, echoing the theme, added, “Voting is the right way to redress your grievances. I too will vote on November 20. Vote, too.

Rohit Shetty called on voters to prioritize the election date, saying: “Voting must take place on November 20. It’s everyone’s right, and we should play it. » Adding a lighter note, comedian Bharti Singh compared the day to a festival, saying, “Every festival and celebration, we celebrate without saying it. Voting is also a celebration of democracy. You too, vote on November 20; I will also vote. Other calls came from actor Anand, who urged citizens to consider voting as a “sacred act”, while Ajinkya Rahane shared his commitment to voting on the day despite his busy schedule.

As part of the state’s broader voter outreach efforts, the event was also marked with performances by the Mumbai Police Band and the unveiling of a special postal stamp commemorating the election. A ‘Voter Awareness Van’ and a display of illuminated boats at the Mumbai harbor increased the focus on voter education. After the event, a voter awareness rally was held from India Gate to residential areas of Colaba, encouraging citizens to think about the importance of their participation in the upcoming elections.