The Election Commission could not have asked for more. Celebrities, corporates, airlines, supermarkets, and even petrol-pump dealers are all doing their bit to maximise the voter turnout this election.

Interesting offers — discounts on petrol and diesel, free popcorn and cold drinks at the local theatre, discount vouchers in malls and even upgrades on your flight tickets — are there for the taking for those who cast their vote.

The last Lok Sabha election had seen a moderate voter turnout of under 60 per cent.

While corporate entities, such as Tata Tea are trying to make the most of the election fever with their ad campaigns, British airline Virgin Atlantic is asking its clients to get ‘inked’ and earn a chance to get goodies, upgrades on tickets and lounge access.

All a flyer needs to do is show his or her inked finger at the check-in counter.

Voters can also get discounts on their auto fuels across 57 stations in the Delhi-NCR region on the date of voting (April 10).

The Federation of All India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT) plans to extend the scheme to Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

“We will offer petrol 50 paise per litre cheaper on April 10 if a customer shows the voting mark on the finger. It’s not a discount but an incentive,” Ajay Bansal, General Secretary, FAIPT, said.

“It makes sense as a station gets 5,000-6,000 cars a day on an average.

“This is a good medium to spread awareness, especially among new voters, because just as one turns 18, one gets the right to drive and to vote. So, what better medium than this,” Bansal added.

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