Election mascot in Balurghat inspires youngsters to cast vote

Balurghat: With an objective to encourage young generation to enlist their names in the electoral roll and cast their votes, South Dinajpur district administration had introduced Kuhmandi's mask craft, locally known as Mukha, as the election mascot on September1, 2018.

After the introduction of the mascot, names of 40,000 new voters were included in the electoral roll.

The step was aimed at massive awareness covering all eight blocks of the district.

Villagers of Mahisbathan area of Kushmandi have developed a handicraft hub Mukha over the past several decades. This cultural heritage has now become a motif for Election Commission to woo voters to booths. Each district in the state has launched various election mascots such as tiger, dolphin and rhinoceros.

Different images of masks are being displayed in various parts of the

district as part of the voters' awareness campaign.

Since the introduction of Social Summary Revision of Electoral Roll, there were 17,000 new voters, who had enlisted their names in electoral roll. Significantly, after the introduction of the mascot to sensitise new voters, the figures increased to 40,000 during September 1, 2018 to January 14, 2019.

"Of total 12,09,767 voters in South Dinajpur, the number of newly enlisted voters is about 40,000. During the massive awareness drive among young generation, we have enlisted 23,000 new voters in electoral roll in four months. The new mascot has helped us a lot," said an official Mahadyuti Adhikary.

"This is a proud moment for us as Election Commission has selected our Mukha craft to attract voters. With the step of selecting it as election mascot for the district, the Mukha artisans have finally attained the expected recognition," said Sourav Roy, who is associated with mask craft.

According to a source, masks are made of bamboo and the crafts are very popular. The villagers relate to it and they get inspired by the local tribal folk culture, art design and craft. The masks depict moods of Goddess Kali in her indigenous form and also the mythological character of Hanuman.