Although the youth wants to have a say in the political scene in the country, when it comes to casting votes and making a difference, the electoral rolls see a big shortfall in the number of voters between the age group of 18 to 25 years. To induct more youngsters into the electoral process and bridge the shortfall of voters in this age group, the office of the chief election officer of Delhi has decided to tie up with secondary schools, colleges and universities in the city so that 18-year-olds can apply for enrolment soon on voters’ list.
Reena Ray, chief electoral officer of Delhi shares, “It’s to inform, motivate and facilitate the youth. To begin with, the forms will be made available at government schools to get students of Class 12 (18-year-olds) join the voters’ list. On an experimental basis, about 20,000 students have applied for enrolment in the voters’ list through schools. With the new academic session, the process will be extended to more schools and colleges,” she adds.
But youngsters have a mixed reaction to this. “Will it change anything? Indian politics disgusts me. It is mired in corruption, fraud. and scams. We can’t change anything even if we want to. So, anything related to it, whether it’s joining politics or casting vote, don’t interest me at all,” says Smitashish Sengupta, a college student.
But Vikas Dahiya, vice-president BJP youth wing, thinks that the move will help in connecting youth with politics. “As this initiative is started by Election Commission and not by any particular political party, youth will join it without any reservations. And as youngsters are becoming more politically aware, it will motivate them to cast votes. This will help them get their voter cards easily.”