Development, pollution, women’s safety among key concerns of first-time voters in Delhi Assembly polls

NEET aspirant Sanjana Chaudhary, who arrived at a polling booth in Shalimar village to exercise her franchise for the first time, said she wanted the government to create “better job opportunities for the future.” Sanjana came with her father Anil Kumar Chaudhary, 46, who works as a driver, and said that “whoever forms the government should ensure better opportunities in medical colleges with more seats for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.”

More than 1.67 lakh voters were added to Delhi’s electoral rolls between October 29, 2024, and January 6, 2025, bringing the total number of electors in the city to 1,55,24,858. As many as 52,554 first-time voters, aged between 18 and 19, were among those added to the rolls, bringing their number to 2,08,302 from 1,55,748.

First-time voter Tanuja Kumari, 19, from Pitampura village said she heard Kejriwal talking in his podcast about the work he did for “roads, electricity and subsidised water supply” and decided to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). She said she now wants the government to ensure better safety for women. “It’s not safe for me to travel or walk alone in the area. My father or brother bring me home from the Metro station,” she said.

“I have voted for vikas (development). I am happy with the current government but want more seats for young people in competitive exams and government jobs,” said Isha Mishra, a Class 11 student and first-time voter, adding that “more attention” needs to be paid to government schools.

Pollution and lack of public transport were the main issues that worried Akshat, 23, who also cast his maiden vote. “I wish there were more buses. A good public transport system is essential for Delhi. I also want to live in a pollution-free city,” he said.

Srishti Garg, 18, a first-time voter from Rohini’s Sector 13 which sent BJP’s Vijender Gupta to the Delhi Assembly even during sweeping wins by the AAP in the past two elections, said she is “mostly content” with the development in her area.

AAP student volunteer Harsh Kumar, 18, not only exercised his franchise for the first time but also assisted the party in bringing voters from the Peeragarhi relief camp to various polling booths in e-rickshaws.

“I am a big fan of Arvind Kejriwal, my family also supports the AAP,” said Misbah, 18, a resident of Rajpur road who was at a polling booth in Civil Lines. “I was nervous and excited, just waiting to vote. I am happy with the current government and its services. Making buses free for women is something I really appreciate. We get zero water and electricity bill as well. The Congress won’t stand anywhere in this election. The real fight is between AAP and BJP,” Misbah said.

First-time voters and Congress volunteers Nitin Rawat, 18, Kalash Prajapati, 19, and Ujjwal Swami, 21, who study at the School of Open Learning, said they want to see the Congress government back in power because “Kejriwal has not done anything for Delhi”. “We want a government that can rule Delhi like Sheila Dikshit did,” they added. The three have been campaigning for the Congress for a month and cast their votes on Wednesday.

A voter turnout of 46.55 per cent was recorded in Delhi till 3 pm as polls were underway for all 70 seats in the Assembly. The results will be declared on Saturday.