Spirited first-time voters stimulate ambience at polling stations   

Kathua, Apr 19: They were vivacious. They were vocal about their choice and issues; showing no signs of hesitation while interacting with the media, unlike their parents.

Probably, given the animated spirits of these first-time voters, the polling stations in Kathua town and adjoining areas were actually imbuing a stimulating festive ambience in consonance with the logo and tagline of Election Commission of India (ECI) for General Elections 2024 – Chunav Ka Parv, Desh Ka Garv (Elections the biggest festival, Pride of nation).

Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha seat, one of five parliamentary constituencies of J&K, went to polls in the first phase on Friday.

It was 12.48 pm. 22-year-old Nikita was there at Polling Station No 86 at Government Middle School Barnoti to cast her vote. She had come there along with her parents.

Wearing a broad smile, Nikita, pursuing her Post-Graduation (in English) from IGNOU, willingly responds as media persons approach her. “I’ve yet to cast my vote. Some of my friends will also join me soon. We’re all going to exercise our right to franchise for the first time. Yes, we’re excited. For all youth, unemployment figures among major issues. If employment is there, less salaries dishearten the educated lot. But I feel that the top leadership is moving in the right direction, creating avenues to make youth self-dependent,” she goes on, without any inhibition, even about her choice of candidate.

What was the major motivation to be here, being the first-time voter, when asked, she quips, “Did you not hear – ‘Mera Pehla Vote, Desh Ke Naam? For me and probably my other friends also, this is an election to elect the Prime Minister and that is all.”

For siblings, Anjali Sharma and Suman Sharma also, this was a maiden visit to their designated polling station in Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), Kathua, as a voter. Their mother accompanied them.

Seemingly in a hurry after exercising her right to franchise at around 1.30 pm, Anjali, in her early twenties, briefly responds to a flurry of queries. “I’m elated. This is my crucial democratic right. I’m aware of it. If we don’t vote, who will be there to listen to our grievances? My only concern is to elect the right person,” she says and leaves.

For Suman, 19, who is pursuing her graduation, like other youngsters, unemployment was a major issue which brought her to the polling station to cast her first vote. “Rest all is fine, for me,” she says.

Inhabitants of Ward No 5, Kathua, Hemankshi, 21, and Ritika, 18 – vivacious sisters instantly caught everyone’s attention among media persons. Hemankshi, a Law student of University of Jammu, had come specially to cast her vote in her home town in Kathua. Ritika is a medical student, pursuing a course in physiotherapy.

While their parents, who were government employees, were hesitant in communicating with the media, the siblings were quite vocal about the political choice they made (though none had asked them to spell out). Their enthusiasm was palpable.

“We’re excited to be here. I find top leadership of the country very motivating. IIT, IIM and AIIMS in our region fill us with pride. We believe - for youth, now there are opportunities galore. For us, our faith too decides our electoral choice,” they point out, while referring to the construction of Ram temple.

Contrary to this chirpy duo, Sachin, 21, who was accompanying his 92-year-old grandfather Hansraj and 83-year-old grand-mother Kanta, was a bit reticent in sharing his emotions as a first-time voter. “Yes, I did what I was supposed to do,” was his one-liner. His friend, who was also in his early-twenties, silently endorsed Sachin’s view-point and did not utter even a word.

Neha Sharma, another first-time voter, proudly displayed a mark of indelible ink on her finger and boldly aired her emotions.

“We (parents) had great expectations from the government but it left us disappointed. This time, as young voters, we’re voting for change with the hope that the new candidate, for whom we’ve voted, will live up to our expectations. We want employment for all youth and development at the ground-level,” she said.

Her shy friend just nodded as Neha interacted with media-persons.

They all cast their first vote in the polling stations established in GGHSS, Kathua. There were five polling stations viz., 60, 61, 65, 99 and 100 set up in the school.

In the ongoing election season, one would invariably come across the motto – ‘Be informed, get involved; make a difference’ in the election advertisements issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K.

Seemingly, these youth representatives were reliving it (motto) as they were out in the polling stations to “make a difference” and strengthen democracy by proudly displaying a mark of indelible ink.