Making it clear that they would weigh the worth of the candidates in the poll fray carefully while voting instead of being influenced by the shrill propaganda blitz of the political parties, some youths of Dehradun who attended Yuva Matdata Mahotsav at Parade Ground said that they would opt for those candidates who would work towards eradicating corruption and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
To motivate the youths to exercise their right of franchise during the upcoming Vidhan Sabha election, the district administration hosted Yuva Matdata Mahotsav at the Handloom Expo venue on Parade Ground on Thursday.
Cantt resident Arpita, a private college student, said that she was yet to receive her voter card despite having submitted the required form after duly filling it up. “In case I chance to vote I would vote with much discretion without being caught in the game of political bluster. My vote would be cast for the candidate who, I think, would usher in real development. His track record is more important than the party he or she belongs to,” she said.
Ritesh Bhatt, another student of the same university, affirmed that he would vote for the party that is committed to eradicating corruption and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
The nodal officer of Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), Shikhar Saxena said that the programme was organised to mark the National Yuva Diwas. Activities, including plays, debate and folk dances were held in course of the programme, he added.
Yuva Mahotsav was also held at various government schools and colleges in Chamoli and other districts of the state. In Chamoli, students of Gopeshwar Government College were informed about the election process and importance of casting votes in a participatory democracy by the election officials. The participants took oath to take part in the democratic engagement. The officials stressed that the students and the youth should cast votes according to the call of their conscience without any fear. The students were asked to motivate their parents and other family members too to exercise their franchise during the election slated on February 15.