First-time voters point out need for the basics
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 27
Good roads, regular electricity supply, favourable conditions for employment, women empowerment etc. are few issues the young voter would like to see being addressed.
The young voter also suggests that elected representatives have regular ‘Town Hall’ meetings with the people.
“Today was the first time I voted,” says Joshua, 25, convinced that the candidate he voted for will bring about the required development so badly needed in Nagaland.
“If he doesn’t perform, one can be sure that the public support won’t be with him the next time around,” he contends.
Another first time voter, Angela Kevirie, 29, admits that her vote was influenced by her family. “Voting should not be individualistic,” she views insisting that families and clans think about the future while deciding on a trustworthy candidate to bring in change.
Angela is also optimistic that the clean election initiative will bring in some change. “If all clean voters just lay back saying the whole system is corrupted, then we are also a part of it for not exercising our rights fully as dutiful citizens,” she contends.
For Angela, her local representative should focus on improving road and power infrastructure and ensure strict vigilance and transparency in all developmental process.
At 37, R. David should ideally not be in the category of first timer voter. However, David has never cast his vote and says he was considering not voting as he thought his vote would not make much of a difference. But on Tuesday, he was standing in line by 7 am waiting to cast his vote. “I want to support the initiative of clean election,” he explains of the change in heart.
David concedes that money still plays a huge role in who gets elected adding, many have already been bought. His mother was offered money by agents of political parties but the family, he says, remains resolute in standing with the campaign for clean election.
“I am proud to exercise my franchise. I have a clear conscience. No one has influenced me – not money, not clan, not community,” David maintains. David’s message to whoever gets elected is: “Let there be good roads!”
“If there are good roads, development will follow,” he says. “It has been over 10 years since the road in my locality was last repaired,” he added sighing.
