The new generation voters have shown that ‘voting right’ is not just a responsibility but also a style statement. A large number of first-time voters, with excitement writ large on their faces, flocked various polling stations in the twin cities right from morning.
While some were busy clicking ‘selfies’, a few others indulged in animated discussion right outside the polling stations. Some of them did not mind braving the heat and standing in serpentine queues to exercise their voting right. “I was looking forward to voting and landed up at the polling station in the morning. Though I had to wait for an hour for my turn to come, it was worth it,” said Keerthi a student who cast her vote at Bright School in Yellareddyguda.
Some of the young voters stationed outside the city also made it a point to visit the city only for the sake of voting. Supraja Madhavan, a resident of West Marredpally currently working in Bangalore, said: “I had realised that voting is my responsibility. It was not easy for me to take leave and come, but I decided to vote at the last moment. Even my mother was against the idea of travelling so much to vote.”
For some it was a life-changing experience as Marika Gabriel, a student of St. Francis College, sums up after witnessing hundreds of citizens voting, “Today, I realised people have faith in the system. Therefore, voting was an absolute thrill and it changed my view point about many things.” Others like Mohammed Aarash, a marketing executive, feel it is the right time for youngsters to vote. “We have seen so many political changes in the last one year. I felt it is time for youngsters to vote and bring in the much needed change.”
Not to forget, social networking sites were flooded with posts of “fingies”, a term used for a self picture of a voter with the inked finger.
“It is so much fun to see my friends posing in different angles for “fingies”. In fact, I know of a few who even went to vote after getting inspired by these pictures on Facebook and Twitter only to upload their photos later on,” said G. Sidhharth, a degree final year student.
