“How will you decide which button to press on EVM while electing your representative in Lok Sabha?” When Free Press asked this question to youths in the city, it received diverse responses. Many voters would cast their ballot for first time. Free Press talked to some of them on what factors they will consider before voting. Excerpts of reactions
AKASH JISWAL, 23, student
“Party and prime ministerial candidate are important factors for me to cast my vote in Lok Sabha election. I will vote for the prime ministerial candidate who has good understanding of national and international issues and ability to take tough decisions for the country’s development.”
MAINUL ALI SIDDIQUI, 29, artist
“For me, representatives of our area are important. It is so because they can only understand local problems and place it before the higher authorities. Prime Minster can’t understand our problems. So, I will vote for local candidates in Lok Sabha election. And if I don’t find any suitable candidate, then I will go for NOTA.”
SANYA ACHARYA, 20, Radio Jockey
“For me, candidate matters and not party. So, I will go for local candidate to cast vote in Lok Sabha election. Before casting vote, I will collect all information about candidates on Google to know what all they did and how much they worked for youths.”
SHAILENDRA DUBEY, 27, dental student
“I see working style of candidates of our area. I vote after seeing their overall performance and whether they are corrupt. If our local candidates or MPs are not good, then who will place our problems in the Parliament. So, first of all, our local candidates should be strong and good.”
SUMIT SHOKEEN, 24, sportsperson
“For me, previous work of political parties matter and not candidates. First of all, I will see last five years of works of ruling party to check whether they fulfilled their promise. I will also check what did Opposition parties do? Based on this, I will assess what they can they do in coming five years.”
ANSHIKA MALVIYA, 18, student
“I will check their previous performances. We also see parties’ manifestos to check whether they work accordingly. Besides, image of prime ministerial candidates is also important. It helps to check whether candidates are down-to-earth and how they speak.”
