Legal action will be taken if Bengaluru eateries offer free food to voters: Election Commission

The owners of the two restaurants apparently tried to encourage Bengaluru residents to vote by promoting such offers.

The complainant alleged that she had high blood pressure, and as she could not have food at the restaurant, she could not take her medicines either.(Express archives)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Tuesday warned two Bengaluru restaurants after they announced plans to offer free breakfast and food to voters.

Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), who is also the ex-officio electoral officer for Bengaluru city, said in a statement: “It is a violation of the model code of conduct to distribute food and drinks at a discounted price or for free. The restaurant owner will be held responsible and legal action will be initiated.”

The owners of the two restaurants apparently tried to encourage Bengaluru residents to vote by promoting such offers.

Story continues below this ad

Bengaluru city voter turnout has been below the state average in the last few elections. In 2018, the voter turnout in Bengaluru was 55 per cent and it was 62.03 per cent in 2013.

In 2018, Dasarahalli reported the lowest turnout with 48.03 per cent followed by BTM Layout with 50.09 per cent and Sarvagnanagar with 51.19 per cent. Whereas the average voter turnout in Karnataka was 72.13 per cent.

Krishna Raj, the owner of Nisarga grand hotel, earlier told the media that they have obtained permission and would be providing free butter dosa, Mysore pak, and drinks to voters. They also promised to give free movie tickets to the first 100 new voters to cast their ballots. Chalukya Samrat Cafe had announced that it will provide free breakfast to voters from 7.30 am to 11.30 am on May 10.

Karnataka will go to the polls Wednesday and the results will be declared Saturday.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram