These first-timers don’t want to lose their chance to vote

GREATER NOIDA: Some of them are residents and have grown up in Noida and Greater Noida, while others are students at various educational institutions here. The twin cities’ first-time voters are young hopefuls who believe that their votes will make a difference. For poll day, institutes have either made arrangements to help students reach polling booths or set up booths on their premises.
“I am a student in Noida, but will go back home to Jhansito cast my vote. I will vote for someone who intends to make a difference and is not simply in the fray to gain power,” said Ayushi Seth (19), a first-year journalism student at a Greater Noida university.

“I will vote from Badaun. For us who cast votes in villages, local issues always get an upper hand over national issues,” Anirudh Bhardwaj (20), a first-year student, added.

Divendra Singh (21), a third-year BTech student from a Greater Noida university, believes every voter should exercise their franchise. “I am a hostel boarder and decided to get registered as a voter here because I did not want to give up my chance to cast a vote. I believe every vote counts,” he said.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, 28 crore votes were lost because the voters were mostly migrant workers or students who do not live in their hometowns. First-time voters usually lose their votes because they migrate to pursue higher education in other states where they are not registered. Many universities have made arrangements to make the voting process easier for students.