Companies In Indian City Offers Free Beer To Encourage Voters

To encourage voters to turn out in elections, companies in Bengaluru have offered free beers and transportation to voters.

President of the hotel association PC Rao told the Bangalore Mirror newspaper, “Different hotels and restaurants will be providing different things to the voters based on their personal call.

“While some of these places will provide free coffee, dosas [a pancake made from rice batter and lentils], and fruit juice to overcome the heat, some of the outlets will give discounts on food or have some offers.”

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In 2019 it was recorded that the city of Karnataka in Bengaluru registered the lowest turnout of voters, of about 53%.

These made companies encourage residents to vote last week, with popular amusement park Wonderla giving tickets to voters at discounted prices.

Meanwhile, Deck of Brews, a pub in the city, is giving away free beer to its first 50 customers who have voted.

Others like the Ridesharing app, are offering a 50% discount to passengers traveling within 30km (18 miles) of polling stations.

Also taxi aggregator Rapido is giving free rides to people with disabilities and elderly voters.

“This is our way of celebrating democracy and the importance of voting,” Gopi Chand Cherukuri, the co-founder of Mr. Philly’s, told The Indian Express newspaper.

The restaurant is offering a 30% discount on burgers and milkshakes to the first 100 voters at the diner.

“We hope that this initiative sparks enthusiasm among citizens of Bengaluru to exercise their right to vote and make a difference.”