Capital’s first-time voters felt empowered as they voted in the MCD polls. They were confident that they participated in the decision-making process of Delhi’s civic issues.
Aakash Jain, a resident of Malviya Nagar ward number 63, voted for Aam Aadmi Party talked about how voting for the first time in his life made him feel more in control of his life.
Jain felt confident that he is a part of the issues that touch people every day.
He stated that youth are the future of the nation and he felt good to be able to finally make a difference. Some of the first timers did not shy away to voice their opinion on civic issues and rejected all the mainstream candidates fielded in their area.
Piyush Verma, an 18-year-old student from Kishan Nagar, chose None Of The Above (NOTA) because he has no hope in the current elections or candidates.
Verma said that all of the issues being debated in the elections are irrelevant to people his age.
“There is little discussion about educational standards because leaders are focused on infrastructure. Everyone has been given a fair chance but there have been no major changes,” he said.
Verma also highlighted the awful culture of campaigning and added that it is the only time people see the candidates.
“They are never found otherwise. Why don’t the leaders come and talk to us about our problems on a regular basis? Why is it only in elections people sympathize with us?” questioned Verma angrily.
In Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar district, Saurav Jindal, 20, voted for an independent candidate Shubham Rastogi because he believes that the candidate will work better than those from major parties.
Jindal said that none of the options available from major parties in his area persuaded him to vote for them.
“Shubham Rastogi is well-known in our community and does not show off like the candidates from major parties,” he said.
Jindal concluded that he is confident people will give independent parties a chance in his area.
Deepak Gupta, 19, from Mayur Vihar Phase 3, voted for the BJP candidate Sunita Gautam from ward 194 after he came across the manifesto of the party.
“The BJP has consistently pointed out and worked on relevant matters for us, whether it is the landfill issue or the ongoing debacle of the metro trains in our area,” he told Patriot.
“I personally believe that if the BJP comes to power, it will be beneficial for my area because the other two options are completely irrelevant,” he continued.
Gupta went on to say that the Congress has no authority left and that the Aam Aadmi Party has no right to receive funds from the central government for ‘freebies’.
9,50,000 of the total 1.45 crore voters in MCD elections are first-time voters.
Of the total voters, 78.93 lakh are men and 66.10 lakh are women.
With inputs from Faisal Malik
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