Kerala assembly polls: Tribal chiefs to be 'poll ambassadors' in state

District authorities have roped in seven tribal chiefs to spread awareness among the tribal population on the need to vote

The local administration has decided to involve chiefs of tribal hamlets here as 'poll ambassadors' to spread awareness among the community about voting.

In run up to the May 16 Assembly polls, the district authorities have roped in seven tribal chiefs, known in local parlance as 'Kani Mooppans', to spread awareness among the tribal population on the need to vote and increase polling percentage.

Read more from our special coverage on "KERALA ASSEMBLY POLLS"

• Election campaign picks up momentum in Kerala after Kollam temple tragedy
• Assembly polls: BJP will not gain any foothold in Kerala, says Oommen Chandy
• Kerala assembly polls: Election Commission lifts ban on free rice supply in state
• Cong list for Kerala polls likely to be announced today
• Kerala unit of Shiv Sena slams BJP; announces 24 candidates

The tribal chiefs, living in hamlets in and around the district, have been selected to woo voters in Kottoor, a prominent tribal settlement under the Aruvikkara constituency.

District Collector Biju Prabhakar, who is also the district electoral officer, launched a programme for the purpose here yesterday.

Under the programme, the tribal chiefs - Kunjuraman Kani, Mallan Kani, Chellappan Kani, Chandran Kani, Krishnan Kani, Velliyayan Kani, and Sunil Kumar Kani - would persuade people to exercise their franchise, sources said.

The administration, the with public sector bank, State Bank of Travancore, also launched a sticker-poster campaign to increase awareness among the voters, they added.