India’s upcoming general election will be the largest democratic event in history, with more than 814 million people entitled to vote to decide the country’s 16th government. This, however, is not the only record that will be broken when the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls.
According to the Centre for Media Studies,
Indian politicians will spend as much as $4.9 billion during the electoral
contest, which will end in May, with the final votes counted – and India’s next
government decided – by May 16.
Youth vote can reshape 2014 polls and can
bring changes in Indian politics.
Voters at the national level will now have
the option of selecting “none of the
above”, allowing them to reject parliamentary candidates for the first
time.
Young people demand that our polity focuses on education, health, safety,
services, empowerment and jobs, not jati-waad.
According to the Election Commission “The
elections will see over 1.79 lakh new young voters on average in each
constituency”.
Of them, about 24 per cent, or around 43,000, will be first-time
voters, in the 18-19 age group. That’s a significant figure, as the winning
margin was less than this in 226 Lok Sabha constituencies in the 2009
elections.
Unlike earlier years, where 'youth
power' was glorified in politicians' and ideologues' style, but amounted to
little in electoral votes, 2014 is different.
Over 65% of India's population is
under 35 years now. Data suggests first-time voters in India, between 18-23
years, compose 14% of the electorate. That's a staggering number. The
difference it could make to this election and our polity is huge.
In six states — Rajasthan (25 seats),
Chhattisgarh (11), Madhya Pradesh (29), West Bengal (42), Uttar Pradesh (80)
and Assam (14) — which account for 201 Lok Sabha constituencies, the number of
voters between 18 and 19 years of age per constituency is higher than the
national average.
The BJP is upbeat about these
statistics, as they expect new voters to be “unburdened” by political
ideologies and to boost the anti-incumbency against the ruling Congress.
“The psychology of the young voter is
unpolluted. These voters are bound to be more agitated about corruption, price
rise and the lack of job opportunities. For them, good governance will be the
issue.
By not voting, we're doing ourselves
the biggest harm possible. We're blowing the one big chance we have to make a
positive difference.
The more young people vote, the more
our concerns modern, secular, progressive will shape India's agenda.
If we don't vote, we must be prepared
to live with broken streets, non-existent jobs, subsistence-level services,
communal politics, corrupt officials and no one in charge listening to you.
To break that vicious cycle, sign up
and vote. There are hassles involved — address proofs are a headache for many
in places other than birth locations — but brave these. You're young. Use your
energy — the troubles are small, advantages great.
A single Vote can make all the
difference
If
you don’t vote, you are killing democracy:
If we want to keep our democracy alive
then every citizens of India (who is eligible for voting) should come out and
exercise their voting rights.
Do not choose your candidate party
wise. Think carefully and then elect a candidate who is responsible and you
feel will work towards betterment of society and bring a change. If you don’t
vote, you are killing democracy.
A
single vote can help select the right candidate:
By voting, we voice our opinion and
get to choose the deserving candidate. Those who do not vote have no rights to
criticise about the non-performing political leaders. Your single vote can help
select the right candidate that can benefit the city and the nation on a whole.
A
single vote can bring positive changes in society:
Citizens must vote to make politicians
realise that the people deserve more than what they are being offered in terms
of facilities, public works, education, amenities and medical assistance among
others. If we want positive changes in society, we have to come out and vote
for the right candidates. Elect candidates who know the reality at ground
level.
Voting
gives us a chance to voice our opinion:
If we want our government to be
responsible and accountable to people, then we must vote dutifully. It gives us
a chance to voice our opinion and decide which party should work for welfare of
society. There can be many reasons for not voting such as political apathy on
part of people, but to keep the democracy alive, people must come out and vote.
We
must cast our votes to help flush out corrupt leaders:
Our constitution is based on the
principle of one citizen, one vote, one value, but one value has not come into
existence till now.
Votes are being bought and this is
happening because citizens are not exercising their voting rights. One must
understand that when we have accepted democracy, we have also accepted voting
as part of our democratic right. We must cast votes to help flush out corrupt
leaders from politics.
By
not voting, you are sacrificing your sacred right:
Voting is a sacred right of every
individual and exercising his/her voting rights is the duty of the citizens of
India. If you do not vote, you do not have any moral right to criticise any
other political leaders.
If citizens do not vote, they are
unnecessarily sacrificing their sacred right. The youth must especially
understand how important and prized their vote is, which will help shape the
future of the country.
With 12 Crore first time voters, the wave of change, is about to begin.Please make sure you have made yourself registered.
For online registration please follow the link below:
For online registration please follow the link below:
The 2014 general election will be one of the greatest milestones in India’s democratic history.
So Get Ready To Vote: Polling begins on April 7 & Ends on May 12.
