Brands ride high on the election wave...

From Swiggy and KFC to MX Player and Times Now, the hottest names in the ad biz are out with their election-themed campaigns as we arrive at the second phase of polling in the ongoing Lok Sabha election.

As the first phase of voting kicks off in the world's largest democracy, striking a chord with potential TGs across platforms is a priority for any brand (the same is true for political parties) and they clearly don't want to leave any stone unturned.

An India Today article, published last week, reported that microblogging platform Twitter recorded 45.6 million tweets related to the Lok Sabha elections from March 11, 2019 (the day the elections were announced) to April 11, 2019.

While Walmart-owned Flipkart is organising voter registration camps for staffers, Samsung is providing employees with days off to travel and vote promising not to count those days as leave. Domino's and Dunkin Donuts, both run by Jubilant FoodWorks, have authorised a day off for voting and Swiggy is running a 'pledge to vote' campaign for its delivery staff.

Here's a quick listicle of some commercials/campaigns that stood out:

ALSO READ: A Dummy's Guide to Political Advertising

'Swachh Neta', a voter-welfare initiative by English News channel TIMES NOW, urges voters to do a thorough background check on candidates prior to voting

Castrol Activ, the automotive and industrial lubricant manufacturing brand and Indian subsidiary of British Petroleum, rolled out its recent marketing campaign titled - #NonStopDemocracy - set against the backdrop of the ongoing Indian general elections

#ElectionsOnMX positions the Indian elections as the biggest theatrical drama in the world

KFC India

Be Finger Inkin' this election!

Tag your voting buddy. #Elections2019 #IndiaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/X4MMpG4Xsl

— KFC India (@KFC_India) April 11, 2019

#ElectionsOnMX positions the Indian elections as the biggest theatrical drama in the world.

Dekho apne mann ki, duniya ki sabse badi nautanki.

Watch live debates, comedy and live news of Elections 2019 on #MXPlayer for free. #ElectionsOnMXhttps://t.co/QbHkXBY13c

— MX Player (@MXPlayer) April 7, 2019

In a bid to encourage MSME players in the country, Instamojo launched the IAMMSME campaign on April 8.

What are some of the challenges your #startups often face?
Let us know here: https://t.co/RMt8JpIbDx #Instamojo has always represented the #MSMEs of our country, this time, you have the power to represent the community by voting as an MSME.#bjp #election #elections2019 #vote pic.twitter.com/i2yYwoMvzr

— Instamojo (@instamojo) April 16, 2019

Comedy Central presents a hard-hitting question - "Are you a Chooser or a Loser?" - urging viewers to understand the importance of their vote

It ain't funny anymore.#ChooserNotLoser pic.twitter.com/rAxFJuEZz3

— Comedy Central India (@ComedyCentralIn) April 2, 2019

As part of Swiggy's #VoteKaroPhirSwiggyKaro campaign, delivery partners who vote will win 'Swiggy Smiles' reward points

Some cool initiative by Swiggy.. Curiosity makes you click and then this message appears.. #VoteKaroPhirSwiggyKaro 👆🏻 pic.twitter.com/glc7sCq7qu

— Shashank Mishra (@smis005) April 11, 2019

Few things cannot be delivered even by #swiggy for that you need to step out. #Elections2019 #VoteKaroPhirSwiggyKaro pic.twitter.com/hSSK0AXWHL

— PRASHANT SINGH (@prashantnitc) April 13, 2019

@swiggy_in Awareness and promotion, in one shot. Good initiative and nice thought. #VoteKaroPhirSwiggyKaro pic.twitter.com/6FYDjLhNIR

— Anudeep (@AnudeepP7) April 14, 2019

Let's travel to vote - Samsonite

We travel to our hometown for love. The love of friends & family, the love of home cooked meals and memories. This time, let's travel for another love. The love for our country.

Many of us are registered in a different city. Come, let's take #EkDinKiChutti and #TravelToVote pic.twitter.com/4YLVrUQDRu

— Samsonite India (@SamsoniteIndia) April 10, 2019

MTV India

Democracy is a privilege. This election, #VoteBecauseYouCan. pic.twitter.com/N92ftnvjX3

— MTV India (@MTVIndia) April 10, 2019