Shradha Chettri
“The northeast hardly ever forms a part of the election agenda of the two major parties in the country. For them, our issues are not important. So it’s essential to vote for someone who can create an impact, says Kritika Chettri, a student at Hindu College,
Chettri, who belongs to Darjeeling, feels that they need a party and candidate who are at least aware of their issues.
Echoing the feeling, Kelhoisilie Pienyu who comes from Nagaland, also said “It is important to vote majorly to bring strong politicians who can represent us in the house.”Pienyu, who has earlier voted, however, felt that this time their issues require a voice following a spate of violent incidents in the past few months.
“It is the greatest lament of the people of the northeast that they are subjected to racial discrimination. This is due to ignorance and I strongly feel that this can be reduced effectively by introduction of northeast history and cultures in school textbooks,” Pienyu suggested.
With every young voice demanding strong laws against racism, a majority of the first time voters seem enthusiastic to exercise their right and make a difference.
“We staged a lot of protests demanding strong anti-racism laws. However, it just remained a protest and no political party did anything about it. I will vote to select the candidate who will support our cause,” Caroline Maninee who is from Manipur and studying at Jawaharlal Nehru University,
Ujjwal Pandey, a first time voter from Sikkim,said it was his duty to vote and if he doesn’t make the right choice now, it will impact him and his region for next five years.
“What happens to the women who come here to work? Since back home there are not enough opportunities in our region they are forced to come here,” Pandey added.
“Healthcare is what the people in the region are deprived of. So we need a government that can concentrate on equitable distribution of healthcare facilities,” Kuldeep Swargiary from Assam.
Swargiary, who is a doctor working here, added: “While healthcare is one, unemployment becomes another issue. We need a government who can utilise the resources for the benefit of people and not to fill their pockets.”
Similarly, Tsultrim Norbu Wangdi from Sikkim a first time voter says we cannot complain. So for me the need is of a transparent government where people know about the money being spent.”
According to the Election Commission of India, 814 million people - almost the combined population of Russia, the US, Brazil and Bangladesh - would be casting their votes to elect the 16th Lok Sabha. This is an increase of some 100 million from the 2009 elections -- and a sharp rise from the 176 million of 1951 when newly independent India conducted its maiden Lok Sabha elections.
Of these, over 23 million are aged between 18 and 19 years, constituting 2.8 percent of the national electorate. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with more than 3.8 million voters between 18 and 19, followed by West Bengal (around 2.1 million).
The Election Commission of India reduced the voting age to 18 from 21 in March 1989.
