After Voting Comes the Discounts

· 5 minutes read

What do we expect on April 17? Of course, the opportunity to elect the president, vice president and legislative members for the next five years. After that, voters, especially in big cities, can take advantage of discounts at their favorite outlets and stores.

Welcoming the 2019 general election, 250 brands and national retail networks will provide discounts of up to 50 percent for voters. To enjoy the program called “Klingking Fun”, the public only needs to show they have exercised their voting rights: their finger marked with purple ink.

Nety Tarigan is among eligible voters expecting big discounts. Sharing her view at her office in Bulungan, South Jakarta, Monday (4/15/2019) afternoon, she also shared dozens of promo cards from food outlets to a number of WhatsApp groups.

These promos, according to Nety, are a form of appreciation from outlets and shops to voters who have exercised their rights. The promotions also encourages voters to gather with family or friends, enjoy the day off and exchange stories after voting.

“Most of the outlets that usually see people hanging out are offering discounts. Me and my friends plan to use the discount offer for a meet up at a coffee shop while waiting for the results of the quick count,” said Nety, who will vote at a polling station (TPS) in Kelapa Dua, West Jakarta.

Fatma Ully Artha and Caerina Rosanty also enthusiastically welcomed the discount offers. After the voting, Fatma and her mother, aunt, sister, brother-in-law and niece will go to a shopping center near her residence in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. On April 17, Fatma and family have not decided which restaurant to visit.

“We will go to the mall first and see which one is offering a good discount. In our family, voting day is also an opportunity to gather with family,” Fatma said.

Like Fatma, Catherina Rosanty also plans to spend time visiting food outlets for the discount offer on April 17. The promotional offer on voting day makes Catherine more eager to exercise her voting rights.

“These discount offers make you really want to exercise the voting rights. I once abstained [golput], then when I went to a shopping mall, I saw voters lining up for 50 percent discounts. I regretted being golput,” said Catherine.

Increase participation

The initiator of the “Klingking Fun” program, Sofjan Wanandi, hopes the discount offers at offline and online stores as well as outlets could increase voter turnout to 80 percent or above the target of the General Elections Commission (KPU) at 77.5 percent.

“After the campaign period ends, there is a need to encourage the public not to abstain,” said Sofjan, who is also a businessman.

The industry sector participating in this program starts from fashion, food and beverages to electronics. To enjoy the discounts offered by the outlets and offline stores, people must simply show their finger that has been dipped in ink as proof that they have exercised their voting rights. Meanwhile, the discounts offered by online stores can be obtained by showing a photograph of the fingers that have been marked with purple ink.

One of the malls participating in this program is Lotte Shopping Avenue in Karet Kuningan area, South Jakarta. Lotte Shopping Avenue public relations assistant manager Lolita Safitri said the majority of food and beverage outlets participating in the promotion are giving 50 percent discounts, buy 2 get 1 offers or free dishes with certain purchases. The outlets include Street Kings, Ta Wan and JJ Royal Brasserie.

Meanwhile, one of the outlets participating in “Klingking Fun” is Sushi Tei restaurant. Sushi Tei marketing communication officer Rifqi Alwafi said Sushi Tei always offered promos on election day.

The “fiesta of democracy”, Rifqi continued, is always effective in increasing sales. “Promos like this, especially if we offer a unique gimmick, can increase the number of visitors and sales,” said Rifqi.

In addition to food, for people who want to enjoy time off, Dunia Fantasi (Dufan) in Ancol Dreamland, North Jakarta, will also offer discounts starting at 11 a.m.

For those who have exercised the voting rights, they just need to show the finger with purple ink to enjoy the discounted entrance tickets. “From the normal price of Rp 295,000, the ticket will be priced at Rp 170,000,” said Ryan, a Dufan customer service officer.

Ryan said each voter could buy five tickets for one tour. Thus, every single voter can bring children who have not participated in the vote. “Well, it’s a good deal, right? People can spend time together after voting until Dufan closes at 8 p.m.,” Ryan said.

The discount offers at online shops are no less intense. One of the electronic marketplaces, Shopee, provides a promo titled #2019PilihShopee. By scanning photos of fingers dipped in purple ink, the public can get discount promos in the form of free shipping, price cuts and cashback amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupiah.

Shopee Indonesia country brand manager Rezki Yanar said in addition to enlivening voting day, this promo is also expected to help encourage the public to use their voting rights. “People can elect state leaders once every five years. We feel we have a moral obligation to make the elections successful,” he said.

So what are you waiting for? Come on, use your rights. Remember, discounts are waiting ... (EDN/AGE/SAN/LSA)

Editor:

kompascetak