Youth brigade in Andhra Pradesh sets high hopes as elections near

Hyderabad: Youngsters in the city are all set to play a crucial role in the ensuing polls. Of the 35.98 lakh voters in the 15 Assemblies of Hyderabad district, as many as 12.11 lakh are aged between 18 and 29.

A large number of youngsters said they would exercise their electoral franchise for the first time and would like to vote for educated and non-corrupt candidates. Speaking on None of the Above (NOTA) option added to electronic voting machines this time, many of the young voters said they would go to polling booths only after deciding to cast their vote to a particular candidate or party that comes out with a good manifesto.

However, a majority of them welcomed the option of NOTA and said citizens should be given the choice to reject all the contesting candidates, if they do not find them worthy enough. Shiva Ram Krishna, a student of Integrated Course from Hyderabad Central University said,

“NOTA option was given to the voters in the student union election in our university. We know almost everything about the contesting candidates in university which may not be the case with the MLA and MP candidates,” he said.

Agalduty Nandini, a B.Tech third year student from Shadan College and a resident of Shyamlal Buildings said, “I am going to vote for the first time in the coming elections. I will vote for a candidate who is helpful, educated, presentable and who understands the problems of people.”

Several youngsters like 23-year-old Sharanya Allam, a resident of Bowenpally,  felt that candidates should chalk out plans especially for women’s safety in the city. Pradeep Gadicherla, an IT employee, said he would vote for a candidate who is serious about protecting the environment, waterbodies.

GHMC special commissioner Rahul Bojja said those who have attained 18 years of age by January 2014 and those who have not enrolled so far, can register their names as part of the special voter enrolment drive being conducted on March 9. “People can go to their nearest polling booth for registration. All the polling booths would be open from 10 am onwards,” he said.