Bringing culture into the elections

Mysuru: The Assembly elections in Karnataka is about to get a lot more interesting with the incorporation of local culture into the polling stations, for the very first time in the State. In an effort to relate the polling booths to the culture of the local communities, the supervising authorities in the election booths will dress up in the traditional or tribal attire of the region and also take other steps to uphold the cultural multiplicity of every constituency.

Close to 28 polling stations in the districts of Mysuru, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Udupi will be decked up to illustrate the cultural diversities of each district. The Adivasi culture will be given more prominence with officials wearing symbols of tribal attire.

Mysuru district will have four of these archetypal booths, all of which will be located near the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, home to the Jenukurubas. The staff in those booths can be expected to be adorned in Mysuru favourites like Mysuru peta, silk panche, shalya and white shirt. The Directorate of Scheduled Tribes Development in the Government of Karnataka has also sent an artiste for dressing them.

Moreover, officers might also ask the local tribal communities to come in their traditional clothes for the voting. The Halakki and Siddis tribe of Uttara Kannada may fulfil the favour. Voters can be promised of a colourful election, irrespective of who wins or loses.