Smells like teen spirit: First-timers vote to bring about systemic change

NEW DELHI: For most

first-time voters

, the question was not about

political ideology

, but affordable education, good jobs when they finished studies, safe city environment and a system that delivers. The mostly 18- and 19-year-olds were quite confident too. In Shahdara in east Delhi, for instance, Nimisha Rawat, Shristi Bhandari and Prerna Bhargav did not look to their families for approval in their choices. “We are old enough to decide what is best for the country. We know the pressing issues at hand and made our choices accordingly,” declared Rawat.

The youngsters took care to think about the problems of their localities before deciding on who would earn their votes. In

North West Delhi

, Bulbul Sharma, having hugged her grandmother after casting her first vote, said she had sought information about what happens at a polling station and wasn’t nervous. The 19-year-old said, “In our area, transport connectivity and basic civic infrastructure are major issues. So after learning from my father about the

candidates

, I decided accordingly.”

In Madangir in south Delhi, Ritu Rani, 19, said she voted for the right to travel safely from and to home. “Delhi is the capital of India. Why can’t I work a night shift and not feel threatened while returning home? Why can’t I travel freely without fear of harassment?” she asked.

Tarannum, a student of Jamia Milia Islamia, too considered the candidates and their promises. “All three parties came out with constituency-specific manifestoes. My vote went to the person who made realistic

promises

and appeared capable of fulfilling them,” said the Okhla resident. Saba, an 18-year-old resident of Matia Mahal in

Chandni Chowk

, said her motivation was education. “Only a few have access to good educational institutions. Others have to pay a high price to study in good institutions,” said Saba.

The first timers seemed to have put a lot of thought into making their choices. Sanya, for example, said, “Other parties have spent ample time governing Delhi. I feel that AAP hasn’t got as much time for us to judge them. I want this party to get a chance to prove itself.”

Employment and development versus nationalism was something the youngsters struggled with. Rakesh Rawat, 21, a DU student from Chhatarpur, said, “Pulwama was a sad day, and I did not like the way the opposition dealt with the matter. I have never voted before, but I did today for our country’s protection.” Sushant Shekhar, 19, another student, however, disagreed. “The two things that matter for my future are jobs and powerful state institutions. Both have come under attack in the last five years,” he argued. In a similar vein, Arushi, 19, casting her vote in Chittaranjan Park, plumped for a stable government.