Bengaluru: For voters in every ward going to polls on Saturday, poor garbage management, road repairs and erratic water supply seem to be the problems at the top of their minds. But the big question is whether they would get candidates who are responsive enough to tackle these issues. Most youngsters are eager to vote and make a difference. Team DC interacts with a cross section of voters in the city.
Elusive search for clean, accessible candidate
Just dropping the ‘e’ word in Banashankari's popular park gets many curious and upset senior citizens gather at a stone bench. “Are you voting on Saturday?” we ask the five gentlemen who join us. “Of course, it’s our right. Shouldn’t we choose who should work for our area's development?” they quip.
Senior citizens discuss poll-related issues at a park in Banashankari
In a span of only few minutes, they bring all the issues of Ganesh Mandir ward to the table. Like others, they too complain of stinking garbage, potholed roads and inadequate water supply. “The previous corporator never even made a visit to the ward. Whenever we went to his office, we were only told he was not available. Maybe this time we should vote for someone who's more accessible,” ponders Sreenivasa Murthy.
But Prof Bommaiah dismisses him immediately, “Come on, they are all the same. You know, this time there's a reservation and only women are contesting. These ladies fall at our feet as soon as we open the door. They have a common catch phrase - we know the problems in the area and will definitely solve them, if elected to power. They even address us as their fathers. But what do they do? Vanish after the elections. We will anyway vote hoping they will work for us.”
Veeranna said his preference is a clean candidate and even if it’s an independent one who seems promising, he would cast vote in his favour. “We have reached a point where we don’t care about parties anymore. We just want more capable candidates who can solve our basic problems,” said Ramachandra. They all conclude that they should vote for a candidate who’s aware of her responsibilities and not just a forerunner of her husband. “We cannot do the job of a corporator. We can't even reach the government offices by ourselves. Hence, we need corporators and it's on our shoulder to elect a good one,” Narayana concluded.
All hope for higher voter turnout
Amid much hope and expectation, everyone thought that there would be a high voter turnout from the youth segment in this year’s BBMP election. It was assumed that first-time voters would account for a large portion of the electorate. But disappointingly, it hasn’t worked out that way. For many youngsters, AAP’s decision not to contest the election has been a letdown.
(From left) Venkatesh Narasimha, Sharath Y.M., MBA student, Karthik Venkatesh, software engineer, Ramesh, engineer, and Taran Kumar, senior executive in a multinational company
When asked for which candidate they will vote on Saturday, few want to commit themselves. Most say they will take a decision only after meeting their candidate near the voting centre. But everyone wants to turn up for the voting to ensure that their voice is heard in the council and they will get a time-bound solution to their problems.
Ms. Kavitha Shetty, a resident of Malleshwaram, has a suggestion. To ensure more voters turn up, the BBMP and election commission should use the social media extensively to reach one and all. “I received an SMS on my cell today afternoon. As per the SMS, voters can get details on their cell about their polling station just by sending an SMS. But most of the Bengalureans are on social media like Facebook, Twitter, linkedin. Such platforms must be used,” she went on.
Adds Taran Kumar, senior executive in an MNC and also a resident of Malleswaram, the party is not the foremost issue when it comes to the local body elections. “All should vote. They can select the candidate of their choice. But at the end of the day the election process is very important to strengthen our democratic institutions,” he said.
Sharath YM, an MBA student, said that these days youngsters are growing more curious about the elections and they are aware of the importance of their vote. “Bengaluru has received a bad name because of various civic issues like garbage. As responsible citizens of this city, we need to vote. Many may not be openly expressing their views on the elections. But definitely everyone should vote!” he signed off.
Use your Vote and help bring in positive changes
Vote is the best weapon any citizen can use. It has five years validity. Instead of ruing on public forums, every citizen should use their right to vote to bring positive changes in Bengaluru! This is what Ms. Chandana Ram, an executive with a private firm believes about Saturday's BBMP election. A resident of Gauribidanur, Ms. Chandana is staying in Bengaluru from last several years.
Deepsita Deb, Chandana Ram, and Hazel Peck from Jayanagar
“Civic issues are the major challenges infront of the residents of this city. We raise our voice on virtual media. But when it comes to reality, many of us not take the pain of even visiting the voting center. It is not good," she said. “I am going to exercise my right with my parents. But I fear many of the youngsters may not exercise their right as the awareness level is very low. Many of my friends are not even aware of this election,” she said.
Ms. Chandana Ram informed that she is not expecting high level of voting turn out on Saturday due to less awareness. “I fear only local communities are active in the election. Bengaluru has highest numbers of migrant population. Those who are living in the elite areas are totally disconnected from the election process,” she said. Another city resident Hazel Peck who is working as a masters trainer in a private firm said residents should not go with party politics instead must prefer a good candidate.
“There are lot of issues haunting the city. It is a local body election and party is not matters. Instead we all must elect a good candidate who believes in clean and developmental politics,” she said. Ms. Hazel Peck observed that voting percentage can be improved only if the awareness level is high. “I fear that most of the candidates have not even bothered to contact people residing in the apartments, gated communities etc. Dedicated Facebook, twitter pages are useful.”
Emotions run high on Brigade Road
Emotions and sloganeering for their party are soaring among the electorate as Saturday draws near. Brigade Road saw the youth rooting for their favourite parties. One of the voters, Lawrence expects “good civic services” from any party in power. “I am going to vote for Congress,” he admits, “but I don't expect the winning party to raise our property taxes,” hopes Lawrence, who has been voting since the age of nineteen without fail. He’s sixty now.
Sikander, Jamshai, Senvin and Shakeel on Brigade Road
“Good, bad ugly people need to use their right to vote or if they don’t, they should not comment about the administrative failures in the government,” sums this indefatigable voter. For twenty-six-year old Sikander, it is definitely a 'must exercise the right' day. “I will definitely go out there and vote, unlike my friends who would rather sit at home and relax,” says the chirpy young voter, who has already made up his mind to choose BJP.
“I like this contestant Paari from my area, he has been mixing well with the people,” explains young Sikander. Twenty-year-old Jamshai on the other hand is all set to cast his vote for Congress. “Bengaluru has taught me politics,” laughs the lad, who adds that his family has always been voting for Congress and he would do the same without question. “My family has been voting for the Congress Party since the start and it is a family thing. Hence I would definitely vote for Congress,” adds Jamshai who adds, “I am not expecting much of a change but civic issues need to be addressed.”
For twenty-year-old Senvin it is also Congress. “Basically BJP candidates only come once and they hardly care about the issues after you cast your vote and they come into power.. the citizen's woes are of no concern to these people. Congress candidates on the other hand have been listening to our plight and have addressed many issues.” It is Congress again for twenty-eight-year-old Shakeel. "It is a family thing and I am going to vote for Congress in my area,” says Shakeel. Some say they will not exercise their franchise and are sick of the system.
“I will not vote! What's the point? The poor people are still poor and rich ones are getting richer. There’s not much change in the city -- if you look around, corruption still exists,” says 36-year-old Yusuf.
‘Will vote, it’s our right’
At the buzzing Koramangala Fifth Block, we find a bunch of young professionals sipping their evening cuppa. Ask them if they are voting on Saturday, and they chime in chorus, “Of course. It's our right!”
These young professionals from Koramangala Fifth Block wish to see better days ahead
They say that the city's weak infrastructure is a major concern and they wish to see better days ahead. “You know, we are not expecting anything from the elections, but we are definitely demanding better local governance. And for that, we need to vote. I am voting to see better administration in the local body,” says Vinod. He says that irrespective of areas, infrastructure problems are the same everywhere and only active corporators can make a change.
“Having said that, I wouldn't believe that any party can bring about a change. It's the candidate's enthusiasm to work for his ward that counts and this time my full support is to any efficient candidate, irrespective of the party,” pitches in Pavan. Satish, who agrees that the right candidate can make a difference, says this election is very important to all and this has been the most discussed topic at office and home.
"When I go to vote, I think I am going to vote keeping these discussions in mind and then I will choose the candidate. Garbage management, road repairs and water supply seem to be the problems of every area. We have heard what the political parties and candidates have to say. So my decision would depend on the gist of all this. I am certainly voting to see a better city," he says. They wind up with the reminder that casting one’s vote is every citizen's right and that they hope voters will make the right choice.
