Panaji, Dec 31 (IANS): In a bid to boost voting-related awareness, poll authorities in Goa have instituted a series of media awards to encourage electors to vote in the 2017 state assembly elections.

"The awards will be applicable to all the local daily newspapers registered in English, Konkani and Marathi and private sector electronic media recognised by the Department of Information and Publicity, government of Goa," a state Chief Electoral Officer statement said on Saturday.

The awards will be presented for seven categories news items, articles, editorials, edit/op-ed, cartoons, photographs and videos to the winning media houses "for the best campaign on voters education and awareness and also on ethical voting from the period January 5 to 15 in 2017".

"The awards are instituted to encourage electors to come out and vote during the ensuing state assembly elections in 2017," it said.

Polling in Goa for the 2012 assembly elections stood at 81.73 percent.

Elections to the state legislative assembly are expected to be held in February next year.