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Where will VIRGIN VOTES go?
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They have been thrilled only by college elections so far. Facing the real thing gives them gooseflesh. M. KRISHNAN talks to first time voters.
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GOVINDA'S POLITICAL ambitions or Dharmendra - Hema Malini's plunge into the BJP may not exactly excite the `virgin voters', but they are all charged up about casting their votes for the first time. Hooked up in a new, glitzy world of fashion and computers, Generation X may not be very politically inclined, as many have no plans to make their votes rebellious. The fun and excitement of being in a polling booth, casting the first vote of their lives- its just another experience that they want to cherish. But many of them have not even made up their minds about who will get their votes. It is only the act of voting which thrills them. The responsibility that the vote bestows on them is often not realised.
Fresh voters are already experiencing the hassles of being part of the great election in the Indian sub-continent. These are days when these fresh voters are running around hard to get their voter's id card. "Gosh, was that my picture?" Bhavana , a first year BDS student can't believe her ghost-like face on the card. Karthik is so confused because it's not his address that's printed on the card. Rahul has made himself a famous footballer, his name having beed spelt `Raul' on the card. Brahmish is at a loss because he has taken his dad's name on the card. As for his dad's name, Brahmish has assumed his grand father's post. Oops, the `blunders' continue.
These college freshers are all first time voters in Kerala. From the `jail-walls' of plus two schools, freedom has just come to them at large. "Elections are fun. We had our college elections just days back. The wild ways of campaigning can actually trigger laugh-riots," remarks Nizliyah, a first year Law student. Why not when there are banners and hoardings going around the campus like, `Ningalillathe enikkenthaaghosham?', `Satisfaction to the last vote' and so on.
Back to `big' elections. These new voters don't have many priorities. "It's only when the rest of the family is so inclined to a particular party that the new voter is influenced. Otherwise they are like free birds," says Reneesh, Vice-Chairman of the M. G. University Student's Union, who feels that first-time voters don't much care for the end result.
However, campus politics definitely take its effect on first time voters. A voter who strictly `panel-votes' for an SFI panel or a KSU panel shows his clear inclination for the respective parties. "They should simply be following that trend when it comes to Lok Sabha elections too," feels Reneesh.
It's glamour next, that attracts first-time voters and youth. They need icons. Icons in the genre of the late leaders Rajiv Gandhi or Madhav Rao Scindia. Such a system is almost absent in Kerala politics. "The only name I can think of is perhaps that of K. B. Ganesh Kumar's. Not because he has a lot of glamour but for his good work with the KSRTC," says Anuroop Joseph, a first time voter and a first year MBBS student. "Rahul and Priyanka are striking personalities. But since Congress in the State is submerged in a lot of group plays, the party may take the back seat in the forthcoming elections here," he says.
"My first vote shall be for that candidate who spells `democracy', better". Praveen elaborates: Recently he `enlightened' a politician while on a train and made him believe that it ought to be spelled `d-e-m-o-c-r-a-z-y'. "By the end of the journey, he must have found out the real spelling, `coz he gave me a wild snarl," He said.
Eighteen they say is the `latest best' among teen-ages. With already a license to drive and an electoral card in the wallet, the indelible ink marked hand and voting machines can actually turn our boys and girls into men and women! Even the thought of the D-day makes them ecstatic.
"To put in his first vote, my brother, who was ill, was taken to the polling booth in an ambulance. I hope I don't follow in his footsteps," remarks Parvathy, a first year Commerce student at Thevara College. But like many other youths of her age, Parvathy too is ignorant of candidates contesting in her own constituency.
For many last minute decisions are taken. "I will certainly make my choice before the polling day is here," says Meenakshi, a first time voter and MBBS student.
In a month's time from now, the first time voters in the city will make it to the polling boothsThe ad on Channel V calling for the new voter and the controversy bitten `India Shining' are all attracting these teenagers.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
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Kochi
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Thiruvananthapuram
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Visakhapatnam
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