A recent survey reveals that 69 per cent of Delhiites are rescheduling their long weekend break, keeping in mind elections
It seems various campaigns, celebrity endorsements and other efforts to encourage people to vote are finally showing results. If a recent survey by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is anything to go by, Delhiites are rescheduling their long weekend plans, keeping in mind the polling day on April 10. Sixty nine per cent of Delhiites have postponed their extended weekend plans from April 8-13.
While releasing the ASSOCHAM survey, DS Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM said, “Those days are passé when the election day was treated as a day of ‘leisure’. Delhiites who love to escape for a short trip would not like to change their voting plans as they are more enthusiastic about the political process.”
In a survey of 3,800 Delhiites, between the ages of 18 and 55, nearly seven in 10 respondents said that this year, political engagement is an effective solution to the nation’s problems and voters are in high spirits ahead of the election polls.
More than half of the people surveyed said that they don’t want to skip or miss lok Sabha poll and have already postponed their plan accordingly. Nearly 69 per cent of respondents said they are rescheduling their weekend plans due to election. They also highlighted corruption as their top concern while the economy came in at second place.
“The excitement is quite visible among the younger generation and particularly the first time voters. This is very healthy development for the Indian democracy,” said Rawat.
There’s a significant change in the belief of people that the government can make a difference, politics can produce results and that it matters to them. Nearly 78 per cent of the respondents said, “Corruption, rising price and women safety are main issues bothering Delhiites the most. Current economic situation and employment are also the concerns. They also emphasised that policy should be more focussed on child education, health, safety, services, empowerment and jobs.
Over 67 per cent of the respondents felt that roping in celebrities like film stars are not influencing the voters. People are more concerned about quality of life and opportunities.
Nearly 61 per cent of the Delhi tour operators also said, this year, the rush during long weekend is grim as compare to other extended weekends.