For the youth and first-time voters in city, age is no taboo to vote in a candidate in Vidhan Sabha elections. Though a young candidate will be preferred, a greater consideration is development of the constituency. "My heart wants to select a young candidate but my mind is looking for a candidate who can make a difference in the constituency with his/her development work." This is the statement of Smita Singh, BFA (II-year) student of the Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University. Her opinion reflects that of first-time voters in the city who are gearing to cast their vote in the forthcoming assembly elections.
While the youth, including first-time voters, do not hesitate to speak out their minds, their version also makes it clear that these youngsters are not going to vote on any party line but the image of a candidate shall play a significant role in their decision making process.
"My constituency needs a network of roads and other infrastructural facilities and the preference would definitely be on a candidate who strives for development work. Personally I do not think that age is going to matter in the election, but a young candidate who works for development will be preferred," said Smita who shall be casting her vote for the first time in the forthcoming elections from Shivpur constituency.
While the student's fraternity in BHU looks unanimous to oppose corruption, casteism and reservation in the elections, the hangover of recently concluded elections for constitution of student council in the varsity is also evident. "We are going to distribute pamphlets in different colleges and universities in east UP region to raise awareness among young voters, including first-time voters. We will ask them to cast their votes. Apart from making them realize the significance of their right to vote, it would also help them to elect a better and suitable candidate from their respective constituencies," said Vipulendra Pratap, one of the members of the Student Council, BHU and research scholar at the department of political science.
It may be mentioned here that young voters including the first-timers are going to play a crucial and decisive role in the forthcoming assembly elections in all the eight constituencies in Varanasi district. As per reports of district election office, the youths (voters below 40 years) comprise nearly 58% of voters who are going to cast their vote this time. Out of them, the first-time voters (18-19 years) are 90,440, voters between 20-29 years are 6,55,879 and voters in 30-39 years age groups are 6,80,718. A total of 14,27,037 voters (below 40 years) out of 24,61,970 electorates are looking to cast their votes in the elections.
"Improvement in civic amenities is paramount in the constituency and I am looking for a candidate who delivers the goods in the assembly elections. I will not vote on party line. Issues like reservation, casteism have already taken a backseat. Only a candidate who talks about development and delivers the goods will win the election," said Pravesh Singh of ayurveda faculty. Khushboo, LLB-II, echoed the sentiments but added that a young candidate would definitely find preference over elderly candidates.
