In tech-era, Himachal official pens postcards to voters

Shimla, March 19 (IANS) In social media times, a Deputy Commissioner in Himachal Pradesh believes in sending self-signed postcards to voters to make them aware about the power of their voting rights and motivate them to exercise that right to strengthen democracy.

The administration of Sirmaur, one of the state's backward districts, has plans to send postcards to all 100,000 household, largely rural, to come and vote for the general election on May 19.

It also carries an appeal to the new voters, who attained the age of 18 years in January, to get his or her name registered at the nearest polling station, or with the District Election Office.

As part of the 'Jagruk Matdata, Loktantra Ka Bhagya Vidhata' initiative, a postcard would be sent to each household.

"It's a tradition in the district that locals used to send postcards or invitation cards to family members and friends to invite them for a social function. So, we have decided to post a card to each family," Deputy Commissioner Lalit Jain told IANS.

He said in most of the rural areas in Shillai, Sangrah and Pachhad areas, mobile connectivity is poor and the post offices are the only mode of communication.

"A postman while delivering a postcard at each household will say that the Deputy Commissioner has sent a message for you through this letter," he said.

Jain hopes to reach out to most of the 3,59,000 voters through written messages before polling day.

His office has been mailing thousands of postcards to the electorate in the district.

Till date, the district administration has sent 25,000 postcards.