Mumbai: “We very well know our candidates contesting from our local areas and are not just voting for the sake of doing it,” claimed young voters from neighbourhoods in Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Andheri. Students and working youths came in large numbers to cast their votes on Monday to break the prevailing stereotypes about the youths not being interested in taking part in elections.
Young voters comprising first-time voters at various polling booths had good knowledge of their candidates, political parties and the party symbols. Kaustubh Salunkhe, a working youth from Goregaon, said, “I have followed the work of the candidate contesting from my area and I know who to vote for. I am aware of other candidates and those who have done no work in the area.”
GenNext says it is important to break the stereotype that the youngsters do not take elections seriously. Pragya Shah, a student from Andheri West, said, “Just because we do not discuss politics with our families or other adults does not mean we are not keen about voting in the elections.
We cast our votes because elections decide the future leaders who will make laws and rules for education and job opportunities.” Youngsters were in a fix whether to vote for prominent parties in their areas or look at the bigger picture from a national point of view.
Afroz Kasim, an entrepreneur from Jogeshwari area, said, “The political party which has done work in my area has failed to impact at the national level. I do not know if I should consider the work done in my area or vote for the party, which can lead us at the national level.” A majority of first-timers claimed they registered online at the last minute, but were issued the receipt which allowed them to vote.
Calvina Pinto, a working youth in Andheri, said, “I attained eligibilty three years ago. But didn’t have the voter card. This time around, I registered online. Withing a month I got the receipt that allowed me to vote.” Another student, Vivek Nair said, “It is good to see the Election Commission proactively providing the voter cards. Otherwise, usually it takes months to procure any national identity document.”
