Ranjit Thakur
‘JAMMU, Apr 15: As the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner, first-time voters in the Jammu Region are brimming with excitement and optimism for a brighter future.
As many as 86.9 lakh electorate including 3.4 lakh first-time voters are eligible to vote in the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir as per the figure of Chief Election Commissioner.
The first-time voters in this election are clear about their vision for the country’s future and say they prefer political leaders to focus on “real issues” like high inflation, youth employment, road infrastructures, and healthcare especially in the rural areas instead of distracting voters with ‘unreal’ issues.
Sunil, a debutant voter of the mountainous district Doda said, “Being a resident of remote Doda village, I feel pained to see the plight of the people of my village Dessa as they are still lacking road connectivity, healthcare system and lack of proper educational facilities.”
“To get to a nearby road or medical facility, we have to travel several miles while carrying critical patients on makeshift stretchers. Even though the Government has made great progress in the country, real development won’t occur until every village and hamlet has adequate road connectivity. For this reason, I will vote in favor of development,” he added.
Even though India has made significant progress in a number of areas in recent times, there is still much work to be done, according to Doda student Rajinder Singh who will cast his first vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“Rapid migration of people from rural areas to urban areas owing to lack of employment opportunities, education and poor health care facilities is a major issue. I myself relocated to Jammu City to pursue my higher education because of inadequate facilities. I feel this inequality ends. I will vote for a candidate who I believe can best relate to our circumstances.” He added.
Tripta, a Government Degree College student in Kathua, expressed her excitement about voting in her first Lok Sabha election. “I would be experiencing something new, but I also had a responsibility to choose the best candidate.”
“During election season, leaders entice voters with false promises and house visits, but they seldom pay attention to voter complaints after the election. I want to support the candidate who is approachable and sympathetic to our situation” she added.
“I would like to ask people to come in large numbers to vote and elect whoever they think is the right candidate,” said Sahil Sharma, another first-time voter from Akhnoor. “One vote can make Government and has the power to remove Government. Being a youth we expect employment opportunities should need to be improved for a brighter future.”
First phase of General Elections to be held on April 19, with over 16.23 lakh voters to decide the fate of 12 candidates contesting on Doda-Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha seat. While in the second phase of the general elections, which will take place on April 26, over 17, 67,837 lakh voters of the Jammu-Samba-Reasi Lok Sabha seat will decide the fate of 22 candidates.
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