Families unknowing about the election dates have booked the tickets in advance
Pic for representation purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: ‘Right to Vote’ campaigns are being organised by social organisations and candidates to raise the percentage of voting. However, a big problem is that schools are going to close for summer vacations on April 23, and a lot of families are planning to leave for their native places.
Families from North and West Indian states like Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra had booked tickets almost three months in advance.
Ramesh Agarwal, a steel merchant, said, “We booked our tickets for Ahmedabad three months ago. We can’t postpone the visit to our hometown due to elections.”
Sceptical, Mr Agarwal and his family do not think that their vote would make a difference. Like Mr Agarwal, many others have booked their tickets and are leaving before April 30, as chances of getting train tickets later are very slim.
The election day in Telangana, April 30, is a matter of concern for many, but the fact that schools close four days earlier is uppermost on the minds of many families.
During the 2009 elections, the polling date was April 16, but the percentage of polling in the city was only 53.82 per cent.
T. Srinivas, a campaign manager for a candidate in Abids, said, “The names of families who are going to their hometowns are being collected. It is to ensure that no one takes their voting cards to vote. While there will be security, there is a chance of malpractice too. Abids has a large community of Gujaratis and Rajasthanis who often leave during summers.”
Apart from families, there are corporate executives who travel to other cities or abroad due to professional commitments. P Amulu, who is running an online campaign on the right to vote, is urging corporate executives to remain in the city on Election Day.
She said, “The right to vote is an important right, and it must be exercised. A voter has to first exercise his responsibility to vote. Hence, we are requesting those who can change their schedules or return to the city on election day to do so, and to use their right to franchise.”
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