As the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 unfold, a wave of first-time voters is making its mark. These young individuals, ranging from 18 to 20 years old, are stepping into their civic duties with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. Their stories, filled with personal reflections and unique experiences, paint a vivid picture of this significant milestone.<\/p>\n
In Mumbai, Sanjana, aged 20, felt a powerful sense of duty as she joined her peers in voting. \u201cMost of my peers voted. They were determined to choose their future government,\u201d she shared. Sanjana\u2019s decision was based on the previous activities of the candidates and coalitions, and she took pride in making an independent choice. \u201cThere was no involvement of friends or parents in my decision-making process,\u201d she emphasised.<\/p>\n
\nImpact of first-time voters
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The youth voting for the first time have shown prominent interest in politics and believe that without their involvement in voting, they do not have a say in the governance of the country and cannot be held accountable. Aarushi, 19 years old, from Nashik, was thrilled to vote for the first time. \u201cThe thrill to be able to vote for the first time and have a say on the governance of the country was quite amazing, but it didn\u2019t last long; it was a short process,\u201d she recounted. Aarushi chose a candidate aligned with her ideals but wished for more options closer to her ideology. \u201cI do wish that there were more options, someone who was closer to my ideology,\u201d she said. Aarushi hopes the elected government will prioritize public welfare over personal gain.<\/p>\n
\nYouth participation\u00a0
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that only 40 per cent of eligible 18-19-year-olds have registered to vote in the 2024 elections nationwide. There are 18.5 million voters aged 18-19 who will be casting their ballots for the first time. A lot of the people were not able to receive their voter ID cards in time to cast their votes.<\/p>\n
Muskaan, 19, from Bengaluru, found the voting process surprisingly efficient, but unfortunately, many of her friends couldn\u2019t vote due to the lack of voter IDs..\u201cThe process was smooth and fast; I didn\u2019t know what to expect,\u201d she noted. She based her vote on the candidates\u2019 recent public appearances and governance records. \u201cI know it is solely supposed to be my choice, so I go with what they do, not what people surrounding me tell me to do,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n
In Salem, Neeraj, 19,\u00a0had a meticulously planned voting experience. \u201cMy voting experience was quite nice; I voted at 7 am with a waiting period of 5-10 minutes in my constituency,\u201d he shared. Neeraj had researched the candidates and their manifestos thoroughly. \u201cI had sketched out thoughts before entering the polling booth,\u201d he said. He noted that logistical issues prevented some of his college friends from voting, but he remained hopeful. \u201cI hope the government elected can address the plethora of issues left behind by the current government and also their errors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further down in the South in Chennai, Lakshcita, 21, could not receive her Voter ID card despite registering a lot earlier than the election dates. Due to this, she couldn\u2019t able to exercise her right to vote and was disappointed as she had the mindset on whom she\u2019d be voting for, and her reasons were justified by her. \u201cI was looking forward to casting my vote for the very first time, but I wasn\u2019t able to, and I blame the ECI and Government for the delay in receiving my voter ID card,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In Dakshin Kolkata, under Phase 6 of the ongoing elections, Ronit Ghosh, aged 20, awaits a deep sense of empowerment. \u201cI feel like I have taken a stand and followed through with my right to choose my candidate in the Indian Legislature,\u201d he stated. Many of his friends faced challenges voting for geographical and logistical reasons, but Ronit was fortunate that his voting date coincided with his summer vacation. \u201cFor me, I was lucky my election dates were after the start of my summer vacation, so it was not much of an issue for me,\u201d he explained. Ronit believes in the importance of voting as a civic duty. \u201cWe should exercise our rights given to us, not just for us \u2013 but for every single citizen of the country,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
\nCivic duty and responsibility
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These first-time voters, despite facing various challenges, are united by their commitment to making informed and independent choices. They embody a generation that understands the power of their vote and the importance of participating in the democratic process. As they cast their ballots, they do so with hopes for a better, more accountable government that will steer the country towards a brighter future.<\/p>\n
(The writer is interning with businessline<\/i>)<\/p>\n