Election Commission to say 'Rock On!'

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) After its successful 'Pappu' campaign to attract voters during the Delhi assembly elections last year, the Election Commission is planning yet another catchy campaign to ensure a higher turnout - using the song "Socha nahin to Socho abhi" (If you haven't thought about it, think now) from the film "Rock On!"

"We are still in the process of planning the finer details of the concept but, yes, we are thinking of using the catchy line of one of the songs from the movie 'Rock On!' to attract more voter turnout in the general elections," Satbir Silas Bedi, Delhi's chief electoral officer, said on the sidelines of a press meet here Friday.

"Our message through this campaign will be simple - if you have not yet thought about registering yourself to vote, then do it now," she said.

The general elections will be held in five phases beginning April 16. Voting will take place in Delhi May 7.

"Our experience in the Delhi elections in November showed that among the 10.6 million voters, four million did not vote. Of the four million, 2.5 million had valid voter identity cards. Which means that only getting yourself registered in the electoral roll is not enough, you have to be motivated enough to come out and vote.

"And in order to motivate people, especially the youth, we are spreading awareness through different media. One is through the universities whereby authorities will be organising awareness camps and setting up facilitation centres," Bedi said.

The Election Commission's "Pappu can't vote" campaign - a spin-off from the song "Pappu can't dance saala" from the film "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na" - during last year's assembly elections generated a lot of interest.

"It is fashionable to vote. And you have another chance to think about it, register yourself and vote this time. Socha nahin to socho abhi!" Bedi said.

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Rock On