Displaying their inked fingers with pride and sharing their experiences, a number of first-time voters participated in the electoral process in the city.
Waiting for hours in serpentine queues, they felt that it was the best thing they have ever done. “It was worth the wait. We feel responsible to bring in positive change in the governance. Hope, the bifurcation of the State will finally turn out to be favourable for the people,” two sisters Leela Rani and Alekhya said after casting their votes at one of the polling booths at Superintending Engineer Public Health in Seetammadhara.
M. Abhishiktha, Pydah College student who came along with her family members and classmates, was excited for two reasons. Firstly, she was exercising her franchise for the first time. Secondly, she hoped that the future Chief Minister of the State should be well educated.
Adding to the wish list, C. Sahiti, who recently completed Bachelor of Arts, hoped that the new government should bring in better education schemes apart from improved pension schemes for senior citizens.
Several young voters expressed their concern over economic issues and said participating in the electoral process was a privilege. “We feel proud to be part of the democratic process which is the most powerful weapon to form an effective government,” Shilpa Patnaik, B.Tech final year student said.
While Gollakota Vihari, B.Tech final year student, said it was a good experience altogether. Rajeshri, student of GITAM University, narrated her first time voting experience in a unique manner. “I feel as if I am appearing for a competitive examination. Like hall tickets, we need to check our names in the voters list and get into the right booth just like the examination hall,” she summed up.
