Do freebies have the power to influence voters? Political parties offering everything from cash handouts to electronic gadgets seem to think so, but economists, central banks, and opposition parties might argue otherwise. The definition of 'freebie' itself is contested, making it clear that there’s no simple answer. In its first DataLens report, Outlook Business delves into the debate between freebies and welfare, exploring how these handouts impact voter decisions and how pre-poll promises have become a key part of political parties’ electoral strategies. Read the full report here: https://www.outlookbusiness.com/business-reports/the-politics-of-election-freebies