Delhi Assembly Election 2025: First-time voters seek jobs, better infrastructure

Delhi Assembly Election 2025: As voting day unfolds in the national capital, Patriot captures the voices of first-time voters who are eager to make a difference. With enthusiasm and hope, they highlight pressing concerns such as unemployment, poor sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure while casting their votes.

Frustration over civic issues

Mihir Gulati (19), a first-year student at North Campus, cast his vote at MCD Prathmik Vidyalaya, Lajpat Nagar-1, Jangpura. Accompanied by his father, Sanjeev Gulati, he appeared both excited and resolute.

Speaking to Patriot, Gulati expressed disappointment over the poor infrastructure and sanitation conditions in his locality.

“For the past 10 years, the roads in our locality have not been revamped. Leaders come before elections, make false promises and claims to improve the overall situation, but no action is taken once they win,” he said.

“Despite several complaints, the roads remain in the same condition. Just before elections, some work is carried out on the main roads, but all the inner streets are still full of potholes,” he added.

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“Additionally, sanitation in our locality is in a terrible state. Despite multiple complaints to the MCD, no one comes to clean the area. These are the main issues that influenced my vote,” Gulati stated.

Youth determined to bring change

Krish Kumar (18), a student at the same school where he cast his vote, hopes to contribute to making Delhi a better place. “Officials from the Election Commission visited our school and conducted a seminar about our electoral duty. That session motivated me to bring about change through my ballot,” he said.

A voter from the Mustafabad constituency, Kumar emphasised the need for better roads and infrastructure. “The roads are broken, and most drains are in poor condition. The water is extremely dirty. My vote is to improve these conditions,” he said.

To engage first-time voters, the Election Commission introduced Model Youth Stations, aiming to boost youth participation. “We have been conducting seminars and workshops in educational institutions to encourage first-time voters to be more engaged in the electoral process. Through these initiatives, we hope to increase turnout among young voters,” an Election Commission official said.

Seeking safer streets and better opportunities

A similar determination was seen in Aditya Sharma (19), another voter from Mustafabad. “Technically, my family believes in voting, and I was forced into it. However, I now understand the importance of exercising our duty. Given the high crime rates, voting is crucial,” he said.

While past riots have faded from discussion, the issue of unemployment remains a major concern.

Raman Verma (18), a resident of Karawal Nagar, voted specifically for more government job opportunities. “My brother told me there is a severe shortage of state government jobs. My vote is to address this issue,” he said.

Samreen, voting for the first time at her nearest polling station in Ballimaran, hopes her concerns will be addressed. “Women face multiple issues in Delhi, but the most urgent is safety. Our representatives must address our security concerns,” she said, adding, “The government also needs to create more job opportunities.”

Salman, another first-time voter, echoed the call for employment opportunities. “Many young people are highly educated but still jobless. What is the point of having degrees if there are no jobs?” he asked.

Sneha Singh, who voted in Patel Nagar, said women’s safety should be prioritised. “One feels unsafe stepping out late at night. Delhi needs to be made safer for women,” she said.

Delhi’s electorate and first-time voters

Delhi has 1,56,14,000 registered voters, including 83,76,173 men, 72,36,560 women, and 1,267 third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 persons with disabilities.

With young voters making their voices heard at polling stations, the capital’s electorate is actively shaping the future through the power of their vote in Delhi Assembly election 2025.