Punjab CEO Announces Incentives for Booth Officers to Boost Voter Turnout

Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sibin C, revealed plans to incentivize booth level officers to enhance voter turnout during the upcoming elections. In a meeting with Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) and social media district nodal officers, the CEO outlined that booth officers achieving a 10% or more increase in voter turnout compared to the 2019 polls will receive a ₹5,000 cash prize and be honored at a state-level ceremony. A similar incentive is also proposed for booths where the overall turnout surpasses 75%.

The CEO stressed the importance of booth officers personally distributing voter slips and voting invitation cards door-to-door, underscoring their pivotal role in ensuring a smooth electoral process. He commended their efforts thus far and urged them to continue striving for a 70% voter turnout goal.

Additionally, Harish Nayar, the Additional CEO, highlighted the need for district SVEEP and social media teams to document initiatives taken, such as providing facilities at polling stations and managing booths for women and persons with disabilities (PwD). These efforts, along with collecting voter testimonials about their experiences, would be compiled into a detailed report submitted to the Election Commission of India.