Feeling the power of a finger-press in the nation-building process, the first-timers on Sunday ventured out of their homes to vote for their future...vote for “change”. They came back satisfied with a mark on their fingers certifying their contribution in ensuring a democratic setup.

This election, Punjab has 3,48,836 first-time voters. And to woo them, not only the Election Commission has taken a slew of initiatives, but also the private shop owners in different districts.

But as the Gen-Y came out to cast their “valuable” votes, they came with a lot of expectations from the one they voted for. In fact, most of them voted for “change” — a change for new employment opportunities, better education and health facilities, improved infrastructure. This was the general perception of the youngsters in the State who have exercised their franchise to elect a “capable” person as The Pioneer talked with the cross-section.

“Change zaruri hai (change is important)! We want to bring some change...We have tried everyone so we want to see something new...try what they can do...It is not necessary that the same should come again...,” said 19-year-old Neha, after exercising his vote in Kharar.

Sharing the same view, Kharar’s Ramanjit Kaur revealed that she has “voted for a new party because a lot of changes can be seen in past five years...Such facilities, like roads, jobs, education, were not there earlier, but have now improved”

Voicing her concern over brain drain due to lack of jobs, she added, “Our youngsters, who go abroad to earn a better future there, should be provided the same facilities here so that they can work for Punjab, for India instead of other countries.” Also expressing concern over increasing unemployment, which also remained a major poll issue this time, Mohali’s Hargun, the first-timer, said that she has voted for new employment avenues and development.

“So many graduates, even post graduates, are struggling to get jobs. Government holds job fairs but that’s not enough. Youths want security, and that’s only in government jobs. The Government should concentrate on providing more and more government jobs rather than private ones,” said Simar, who turned 18 in November last year.

Residing in Amritsar, this art student believed that the candidate she is voting for “would work for bringing in more development, employment opportunities, and better education facilities in Punjab”.

A group of first-time voters, residing at Guru Asra Trust in Mohali, also reached to vote at a polling booth in Mohali. “I think the main issue is of corruption. This is the major cause of all problems...I feel one should come forth with a new soch so that there is some change in the future,” said Prabhsharan.

CERTIFICATES, DISCOUNTS TO LURE FIRST-TIMERS

From appreciation certificates to discounts, the first-time voters were on advantage on the polling day.  As Punjab voted on Sunday, the poll watchdog and the private players took several initiatives to motivate the youngsters to participate in the democratic process. On the Election Commission’s directions, the District Administrations have given appreciation certificates to the first-time voters.