In an effort to boost voter turnout to 85% in the upcoming Assembly elections on April 9, the Election Commission of Kerala is launching a series of creative initiatives. Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar is leading the charge, focusing on engaging young voters and addressing turnout challenges in major cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Historically, voter turnout in Kerala has hovered in the 70s; for instance, it was 75.26% in 2011, 77.53% in 2016, and 75.6% in 2021. To address this, the Commission is implementing various strategies, including distributing halwa to 200 first-time voters at polling booths across all 14 districts. Additionally, a catchy rap song aimed at young voters has been produced, featuring Kelkar and Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari in a dance video promoting voter participation. The Commission has also established 2,000 electoral literacy hubs to enhance voter awareness. Furthermore, ride-hailing services like Uber will offer free rides to polling stations within a two-kilometre radius in key urban areas, making it easier for voters to access the polls.