CHENNAI: Waiting in long queues to cast votes has always been associated with the elderly but RK Nagar byelection proved that theory wrong on Thursday.
The high profile constituency saw a huge turnout of first time and young voters on Thursday.
While young voters with their friends brought the high-tension polling stations, heavily guarded by paramilitary personnel, with laughs and jokes, first-time voters were excited.
M. Sarathadevi
Almost all polling booths saw steady footfalls of the younger generation, most of them are first-time voters. M. Sarathadevi, a college student and first-time voter said that police and polling officials helped her in voting procedures. “Though I am excited to cast my first vote, I have taken a firm decision on to which candidate I am going to vote,” she said.
Police and paramilitary presence did not intimidate her, she added.
Another first-time voter, S.P. Ajith Kumar of Washermenpet, who is also a college student, said that he had voted in April byelection, which was rescinded by the election commission. “Finally I got the opportunity to vote in the election. This is one of my happiest moment and the ink stain on my finger is a mark of my accomplishment of the duty as a citizen,” Ajith Kumar said.
Ajith Kumar
Young voters also expressed bliss as they visited polling booths in groups.
“I am casting my vote for the second time. Happy to perform my duty,” K. Hariharan of Korukkupet, said.
