AHAR Joins SVEEP Campaign; Voters to Get Special Discounts at Hotels, Restaurants on Poll Day
Mumbai, 12th January 2026: In an effort to encourage higher voter turnout in the upcoming municipal corporation elections, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) has partnered with the civic administration under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. As part of the initiative, voters who cast their ballots on January 15 will be offered special discounts at AHAR-affiliated hotels and restaurants across the city.
Polling for the civic elections will take place on January 15 from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.
The SVEEP campaign is being implemented under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani, with guidance from Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Ashwini Joshi. Acting on the directions of Joint Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar and Assistant Commissioner Dr Gajanan Bellale, the civic administration has launched a wide-ranging voter awareness drive throughout Mumbai.
As part of the campaign, the municipal corporation has been organising street plays, awareness rallies, morning processions, and programmes in schools and colleges, including initiatives that encourage students to secure voting pledges from their parents. Voter participation messages are also being disseminated through educational and social platforms.
Against this backdrop, AHAR has extended its support to the election machinery. The association represents nearly 8,000 hotels, restaurants and permit rooms across Maharashtra and is linked to 65 district-level associations statewide.
AHAR President Vijay Shetty said voters who participate in the polling process on January 15 will be eligible for special concessions at member establishments as an incentive to promote democratic participation.
Officials reiterated that voting remains the cornerstone of democracy and stressed the need for citizens to recognise their civic responsibility. They added that government agencies, social organisations and professional bodies are collectively working to improve voter participation through the SVEEP programme.
Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has also joined the outreach efforts, spreading awareness among motorists through flash mobs and audio-visual campaigns. In addition, voter awareness messages are being actively circulated on social media platforms to maximise reach and engagement, especially among younger voters.
