High-footfall malls become stages for voter awareness drive
NAVI MUMBAI: Music, dance and sudden bursts of colour replaced routine weekend shopping at city malls as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) used flash mobs to push voter awareness ahead of the civic elections.
As part of the voter education drive for the NMMC General Elections 2025–26, flash mobs were organised at high-footfall locations, including Nexus Mall at Seawoods, targeting citizens who typically visit malls with family and friends on weekends.
At Nexus Mall, shoppers were drawn by unexpected music before noticing a group of over 80 young dancers performing at the central atrium. Holding placards urging citizens to vote on January 15, the performers delivered the message through popular songs and coordinated dance routines. Within minutes, crowds gathered across multiple floors, with many spectators filming the performance on their phones.
The flash mob was performed by an 80-member dance troupe from Aarambh Creations. A mascot designed in the form of an electronic voting machine (EVM) added to the engagement, with several visitors stopping to take selfies.
Municipal Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Dr Kailas Shinde said the idea was to take the voting message to places where people naturally congregate. “We want citizens, especially first-time and young voters, to see voting as a shared civic responsibility,” he said. “Creative formats like flash mobs help communicate that message more effectively than conventional appeals.”
A similar flash mob has been scheduled at Inorbit Mall, Vashi, on January 11.
Dr Shinde appealed to voters to participate in large numbers. “Polling will be held on January 15, 2026, from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. Every eligible voter should step out and exercise their right,” he said.
The civic body said the mall-based outreach complements other voter awareness efforts being carried out across the city ahead of the elections.alls become stages for voter awareness drive
