To encourage people to vote, theatres, parlours, come up with legal freebies
Chennai: If you are casting your vote on Monday, you may get a free movie ticket or you can win a stay in a luxurious resort or grab an offer from beauty parlours and many other such freebies. Such tempting offers and initiatives which companies have come up with may be perfectly legal unless the Election Commission comes snooping. These offers are meant to encourage the Chennaiites to vote in an election in which some have sworn to try for 100% voting.
Companies like Ags Cinemas, Green Trends, Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram resort, Federal Bank, Get To Shape and many others have come up with many such offers, which have been posted on the official Facebook pages of these companies. In the Facebook page of AGS Cinemas, a post has been shared which reads, ‘Go vote & get free movie tickets, post the selfie of your inked finger in the comments, lets achieve TN 100 percent together, Terms and conditions apply’. Similarly the Facebook page of Green Trends salon reads ‘show us your election ink and avail 25 per cent off on services of your choice. A coupon will be provided.’’
As proof of the person having voted, most companies are asking people to click a selfie of the inked finger. The Facebook page of Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram resort reads, ‘make it count this election week by telling us the importance of voting along with the selfie of the proof of your vote, stand a chance to win a luxurious stay for two, with a delectable brunch.’
It’s not just theatres, parlours or resorts, which have come up with such offers. Federal Bank has put out an initiative called ‘selfie account cash back offer’.
The website of the bank reads, ‘selfies just got more rewarding this voting season. Open a selfie account with federal bank and get rewarded with a cashback of Rs 100.’
The website also explains how to apply and states that the offer starts from May 16 and is valid till May 22. Further Facebook page of a weight loss company called ‘Gate To Shape’ says ‘vote and claim free inch loss session’, the offer is valid from May 17 to May 31. According to a Green Trends official, the 25 percent off is to encourage the people to vote in this election.
