No faith in parties, the heat: Why some Delhiites gave Lok Sabha polls a miss

Yasir Khan, a 41-year-old physiotherapist from the South Delhi constituency, decided not to vote this year. Khan, who, however, accompanied his wife to the polling booth on Saturday, told The Indian Express: “I don’t believe in voting as according to me, the political parties work as per their choice and not for what the people want.” He works at Medanta Hospital.

Citing similar reasons, a 30-year-old resident of Dwarka Sector 10 said: “I have been living outside India for the past decade. Although India is my home country… I do not believe anyone can bring in a change for the better, and so, I do not feel like voting for any specific party…”

The rising temperatures in the Capital on Saturday, which touched 45 degree Celsius in the daytime, was also a reason for giving the polling a miss.

Among them was 48-year-old Santosh Kumari from the Northeast Delhi constituency, who said: “It is very hot (outside). Why should we step out to vote for candidates who cannot even ensure proper water facility near the polling booths… they should be able to provide us with some cold beverages at least.”

Meanwhile, some said that their work schedule did not match with the polling timings, and so, they could not vote.

In the East Delhi constituency, Aiswarya, a 24-year-old resident of Dwarka, said: “I have night shifts, so I sleep during the day. I really wanted to vote, but I had to skip it. Also, it was very hot outside…”