Maharashtra elections 2024: First-time voters see right to vote as privilege, excited after making choice

A bunch of young students was seen brimming with excitement and pride as they cast their votes for the first time in Vasai on Wednesday They demanded better infrastructure including roads hospitals education facilities proper maintenance of government establishments employment opportunities sanitation and womens safetyAfter exercising the franchise the firsttime voters proudly flashed their inked fingers while talking to middayA 22yearold Taufik Shaikh said government schools were in bad shape as they werenrsquot being maintained ldquoThe buildings are never painted the washrooms are terrible teachers are shortstaffed and there are many other issues But development depends on you so everybody should cast their votes instead of cribbing over an issuerdquo he saidArundhati Lovalekar Dadar resident Kasaf Mehtar Mira Road resident Hirak Shah Vile Parle resident Indukumari Singh Malabar Hill residentldquoI am happy that I have successfully exercised my rights and voted for the first timerdquo he addedHis friend Satish Kanojia 21 said ldquoI was excited more than nervous because I was worried about how to cast my ballot But the voting process was seamless My inked finger proves that now I have become a responsible adultrdquoldquoOverall development in the area where I live is another major concern for me but I kept womenrsquos safety and employment in mind while casting my voterdquo he addedAn 18yearold Kartik Pardeshi said ldquoThe education system at government schools has to be improved Vasai needs better sanitation hospital and roadsrdquoldquoThe ink on my finger is a lasting reminder of the significance of my first time at the polls I am happy to have contributed to shaping the direction of our societyrdquo he addedAnother voter Shruti Pardeshi said that she was a little nervous before exercising her franchise for the first time ldquobut the electoral officials helped me at the polling booth and guided mehellipthe process was smoothrdquoFirsttime voters between the ages of 18 and 19 were given certificates as they exited polling stationsAn experience to relish and cherishArundhati Lovalekar 18 said ldquoI live in Dadar my polling booth was in Sewri as I lived there earlier It was so interesting to see the turnout which was robust and the age spectrum of the voters I had learnt about the candidates in my constituency and cast my vote after a lot of thoughtrdquo The First Year Bachelor of Arts FYBA student asserted ldquoI do not think it is just our right and responsibility to vote As citizens of a vibrant democracy it is our privilege to vote Exercise that privilegerdquoIndukumari Singh 19 from Malabar Hill cast her vote at the Cumballa Hill station yesterday The Second Year BCom SYBCom student said ldquoI was also on duty at the station After casting my vote I was at the registration desk guiding people I was well prepared having learnt about the candidates from two seminars earlier I have one thing to say we live in a democracy and to secure our future we need to vote By not doing so we only have ourselves to blamerdquoKasaf Mehtar 19 termed her experience as ldquogreatrdquo The Home Science student said ldquoI saw a good turnout at my polling station in Mira Road and was enthused that more people are realising the value of their vote I want people to know that even one vote can make a difference when we look at polling with that perspective then it will spur all of us to go to the polling stationrdquoHirak Shah 21 a Vile Parle West resident said ldquoI had done research prior to voting and made an informed decision It was certainly stirring and besides knowing that this is a right and responsibility there was also a feeling of pride at having a voice and choicerdquo102950Votes polled by BVArsquos Hitendra Thakur in Vasai in 2019