Delhi election 2013: First-timers come out in force seeking change

NEW DELHI: Activism seems to have come out of college cafeterias and entered the polling booths. In Wednesday's elections, first-time voters not only made their presence felt but also added colour to the democratic exercise with their excitement. Corruption, women security and job opportunities emerged as the main agenda for the first-timers who number more than 4 lakh in the electoral rolls, comprising 3% of the electorate.

The young voters appeared confident and had come prepared to exercise their franchise although some seemed in a dilemma. "The two issues that influenced my decision are women's safety and corruption. No one is doing anything about the law-and-order situation. Also, corruption needs to go. It's the reason behind the increasing prices," said Meenakshi, 18, a student of Aditi Mahavidyalaya.

Meenakshi, who came to vote with classmates Rachna and Poonam, added, "All students are very excited about voting. It's the first time we are getting the chance to choose our leader."

As another student, Shivani Tewari, 19, came out of the polling station with her finger inked, her parents clicked a photo. Most young voters talked about the need for change. Many confessed that they had voted differently from their parents.

At the Mangolpuri polling station, Manish Sindhu, 21 said he had voted for AAP because he supports the underdog. "Our family supports BJP but we are voting for AAP," he said, referring to himself and sister Sheetal, "We just don't want Congress winning."

But another young voter, Rozy, was undecided and ended up going with her parents' choice. "Honestly, none of the parties are different from each other. But I didn't want to vote for the ruling party," she said.

Also seen standing in the voting queue were young sons and daughters of politicians. Said Parminder Singh, son of Congress' Gandhi Nagar nominee Arvinder Singh Lovely, "It's the first time I am voting and yes, I voted for my father. It's not because he is family but because he has really worked for the constituency," said the 22-year-old budding lawyer.

Asked whether he planned to join the family legacy, Singh said he wasn't interested in entering politics. "I want to do something different, and make my own way," he added.

On the polling booth number 88 at Nagar Palika co-ed senior secondary and primary school in Aurangazeb Lane, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was also seen interacting with the youth while waiting to cast his vote. Gandhi waited for around half-an-hour before making it to the EVM. "I felt good when he asked about me. What is my name? From where do I belong? Where do I live here and things like that," said Brijesh Kumar.

However, some first-time voters' excitement turned into disappointment when they found that their names were missing from the voters' list. "I was very keen on voting," said Ritika,19, "But my name's not on the list. I wanted to contribute to AAP's victory. My mother, who did not vote in the previous two elections, has come out this year to vote for them."

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