College-goers in the city no more want Voter ID Cards merely to utilize their constitutional right.
Today, the determination to appear for a Government job entrance exam or pursuing higher studies by showing a voter card photocopy is more important for them. The fact was revealed during an interaction with such youngsters at Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer’s camp for adding name in the voter list on Monday. 32 year old Santosh Kumar lakra, a Veterinary Science post graduate student of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) had been trying to get a voter card for past 10 years.
“I failed to get my voter card in spite of filling Form 6 properly a number of times. Now, it is urgent to get the identity proof because I cannot apply in various jobs without a copy of voter card,” lakra said.
Similarly, 23 year Swati Kumari, a computer applications graduate from Marwari College preparing for various competitive examinations for various kinds of jobs for last five months said, “Aadhaar card is not considered in many government organizations. But, Voter ID card is considered. I hope to grab a government job soon if my voter card is delivered within the ongoing Assembly Elections period.”
Notably, Form 6 is the application used for addition of name in the voter list. Sources at Ranchi district administration informed the names of the Form 6 applicants will be included in the list soon wherein a slip bearing voter ID number will be generated for the new voters.
The voter card however will be delivered within 15 to 30 days. “Unless the youths do not receive card they cannot use the copy for identity proof,” said sources.
According to Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer’s office staffs, the continuous voter awareness campaign in all the local colleges has helped in the unprecedented rise for voter card registration between the age group of 18 to 19 years. 29 year old Bachelor of Education student Vijay Kumar was seen disturbed after submitting his filled up form. Asked the reason, he said, “Even with a B.ed degree from Ranchi College, I cannot appear in any state or national teacher’s entrance test for not attaching a copy of voter card with the application.”
For 24 year old Vimla Kumari, a third year Master of Computer Applications student at Ranchi College, voting is not at all an important matter. “I need voter card for address proof. It is a priority,” she said.
However, there were handful of students who are willing to cast vote to bring a positive change in the society. “One vote can change the system. If we do not realize the strength of our right to vote, someone else will cast our bogus vote. A wrong leader with no public concerned objectives might then be elected,” Economics undergraduate second year student Hemraj Kumar from SS Memorial College said.