Bhopal: National Voters’ Day today: To vote or not to vote, ponders youth

Bhopal: National Voters’ Day today: To vote or not to vote, ponders youth

SmitaUpdated: Thursday, May 30, 2019, 12:38 AM IST
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Bhopal: Most of the youngsters who have turned 18 since the 2014 general polls have driving licence, Aadhaar and PAN cards but not voter IDs. The youths don’t seem very keen on exercising their voting franchise as they say there are not many eligible candidates. The youth wants to vote for candidate who is well-educated, hardworking, good communicator and work for youth, quality education and cleanliness.

Talking to Free Press on National Voters’ Day, most of youths seemed sceptical about politics and politicians. Some said that politics does not affect their day-to-day life and they have lost trust in political parties as they make false promises. However, there were others who are looking forward to exercise their right to vote and elect well-educated, hardworking and someone who would work for the youth and provide quality education. Excerpts:

Anukriti, 18, company secretary aspirant

I am not at all excited by the prospect of voting. I have got a driving licence made as I do not want to get into trouble with the cops, but am not interested in getting enrolled as a voter. Even if I do, I will probably not go to vote. Firstly, politics does not affect my day-to-day life and secondly because I think most of the political parties make false promises.

Chetan Pathak, 19, B.com student

No, I don’t have voter ID. I am not much interested in voting, but yes, I am thinking to get it made but have no idea from where. I required driving license and Aadhaar Card so I got them made on priority but I never required Voter ID, so I didn’t get it made till date.

Aditi Shrivastava, 18, B.Com,

Yes, I am very excited to vote. But I don’t have voter ID. I turned 18 last July and I had applied for the card in October but I was told that I will be eligible for it this July. So I am waiting and will apply. Seeing my family members voting I too always wanted to vote. I would cast my vote for the candidate who will work for cleanliness in our area. I have driving license and Aadhaar Card.

Aishwarya Pratap Singh Solanki, 18, media student

Yes, I am very keen to register myself and play a vital role in democratic process. But still I don’t have a voter id. I turned 18 last September and I had applied for making voter id in November. 15 days later, when I didn’t get any response from the Election Commission, I applied again in December. I want to vote for the candidate who will is well educated, hardworking and good communicator.

Riya Yadav, 18, CA aspirant

No, still I don’t have voter ID but yes I asked my father to get it made. Actually I don’t get time from my coaching classes so I told my father. I want to vote for the candidate who will give opportunity to youths. Yes, I have driving license and Aadhaar card.

Deepanshu Wadhvani, 19, B Com student,

No, I didn’t get it made but will soon do it and I am collecting some documents for the same. Actually after completing 12, I had shifted to Delhi. I am doing B.Com from Kirori Mal College. I want to vote for candidate who is promising and work towards providing quality education. I have Aadhaar and Pan Card. Aadhaar card was made when I was in class 8.

Shalini Malviya, 21, media student

I have driving license, PAN and Aadhaar card but not voter id. I live on rent so I don’t know where it is made. So I have asked one of my acquaintances to get this work done. I am not interested in politics, but I want to have voter id as important like other documents. If I get chance, I shall vote the candidate after consulting my family and friends.

According to EC statistics, as on January 19, 2017, there were 7.23 lakh voters of 18-19 years age-group in the state, of which 4.36 lakh were males and 2.87 lakh females.

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