First-time voters focus on job opportunities, women security

SHIMLA: First-time voters, who turned up in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, said they had voted keeping in mind issues like education, health facilities, employment opportunities and women security. However, most of them were not aware of candidates in their constituencies. They were familiar with only the two major political parties — the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party — and their leaders Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi.

Yet, enthusiasm was palpable among them as they marked their first participation in the government formation exercise. “As a citizen, it our responsibility to contribute towards building a strong nation,” said Payal, who cast her vote for the first time.

Simran Bhardwaj, a student of psychology at St Bede’s College, Shimla, said she was very excited hoped the new government would provide good governance and expedite the pace of development. “Rather than criticising leaders, we should focus on what is best for the nation. Criticism will only create conflicts. As youngsters, we need to decide who will the best person to lead the nation,” she added.

Hoping for better security for women, she said: “The government should make strict laws to deal with violence against women. Being a woman, we do not feel safe now and the government needs to take serious steps towards women security.”

Sudhanshu said, “I am casting my vote for the first time and I want a government which reform the education system, create better platforms for youth and provide basic facilities to every section of the society.”

Polling took place in all the four constituencies in the state — Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra — on Sunday.

136 BOOTHS GO ‘PINK’

As many as 136 out of total 7,730 polling station were ‘pink’. Aimed at empowering women and increasing their participation in the electoral process, ‘pink booths’ have been established for the polls across various constituencies, where from presiding officers to security guards, all are women. Two pink polling booths were setup in each of the total 68 assembly segments in the four constituencies in Himachal.

As many as 136 female presiding officers and 408 female polling officers took charge of these booths , said Neeraj Sharma, officer on special duty, state election department.

THE PASS, WHICH CONNECTS MANALI TO LADAKH, WAS UNDER SNOW SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR