In a bid to bolster voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for June 1, Jalandhar, known as a hub for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and IELTS centers, has announced enticing incentives for NRIs keen on exercising their franchise.
Travel agents and immigration consultants in Jalandhar have rolled out a special 50 per cent discount on service charges for flight tickets between June 1 and 7, aiming to encourage NRIs to return and cast their votes in what is considered the world’s largest democratic exercise.
Additionally, IELTS centers in the city have followed suit, offering a 50 per cent monthly fee waiver for students who participate in the electoral process.
These initiatives are part of a broader voter awareness campaign aimed at surpassing a 70 per cent voter turnout target, as highlighted by District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal. The discounts will be available from select travel agents, immigration consultants, and IELTS centers from June 1 to 7, post the voting day on June 1.
Jalandhar, home to over a thousand IELTS and English proficiency centers, witnesses a significant number of students taking these tests annually, with many subsequently migrating to countries like Europe and beyond.
During a recent meeting with travel agents, immigration consultants, and IELTS center representatives, Dr. Aggarwal urged them to advocate for postponing foreign trips until after June 1 and encouraged NRIs to return for voting, leveraging the discounted offers.
The initiative was praised for its potential to bolster voter engagement, particularly among youth, by Dr. Aggarwal, who emphasized the importance of every eligible citizen exercising their democratic right.
He further outlined the process for voter enrollment, urging eligible individuals to register by May 4 through Form 6 at their nearest booth level officer or seek assistance via the helpline number 1950.
Punjab boasts approximately 6 million residents settled abroad, primarily in countries such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, and France. The majority hail from the Doaba region, encompassing districts like Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and NawanShahr, with Jalandhar serving as the nucleus of NRI engagement through the NRI Sabha of Punjab.