Neither the pouring rain nor cynicism clouded their spirit. With excitement and anticipation writ large on their faces, first time voters turned out in good numbers to exercise their franchise in Tiruchi on Monday.
Many had come with friends and family and were thrilled to vote for the first time. “I am very excited but there was no difficulty in casting the vote,” said V. Varsha, a young graduate about to join her MBA programme, after having cast their vote at the K.A.P. Viswanathan Higher Secondary School at Thillai Nagar in Tiruchi. “I feel very good having cast my vote for the first time in my life,” said U. Latha, another MBA student, at the same booth.
Many young voters disapproved of the distribution of cash for votes. “I hate to hear that money is being given to voters. Youth should get a chance to bring about a change,” said Ms. Varsha.
Some of them had well though out responses on the issue and showed remarkable maturity beyond their age. “Some people say that we can accept the money as it belong to us; money which was looted from us. But why should we allow them to loot in the first place. We should use our democratic right properly and elect the right person,” said S. Aravind, a first-time voter from Keezha Chinthamani, after having cast his vote at a booth at the E.R. Higher Secondary School in the city.
The young voters were had clear priorities and expectations. Many said they wanted a corruption-free and honest government.
The first-time voters in Srirangam thronged the polling stations in large numbers than other age groups in their respective areas. Several of them turned up with their college mates and friends instead of family members. The trend was visible mostly among men.
“It is interesting to cast vote for the first time in my life. We were all motivated by the campaign concerned of the Election Commission to exercise our democratic right. No one has influenced me to choose my candidate,” said S. Dayalan of Subramaniapuram in Srirangam.
