For a few years now, we have seen a real push from leaders, NGOs, youth bodies and different organisations about voting awareness. There has been a concerted effort to make people aware of the importance of voting. Voting awareness campaigns have been robust on social media and there has been a real thrust on voter education, why your vote must not go waste, the importance of even one vote and even the way to exercise your franchise, right from getting to the poll booth to how to physically vote.

A banner in South Mumbai is emblazoned with: IDIOT, the Greek definition of the person who did not vote. The perennial riposte of: you did not vote, why whine about the government now, is gaining greater resonance and momentum. A number of local leaders are also telling people to skip their May vacations, so that they can vote in Mumbai on May 20.