Poll debut

Rina Yadav (19)
Constituency: Chandni Chowk
Lives in Chandni Chowk
Rina did not accompany her parents to the polling booth; she went alone. “I’m a political science student. It is important for me to exercise this right,” she said. Development,the BA (Hons) student said,is a priority in Chandni Chowk,and more than the party,“my vote is for the candidate”. “This vote recognises my identity,” she added. “This shows I’m a thinking adult.”

Anu Rawat (19)
Constituency: Northwest Delhi
Lives in Sector-13,Rohini
Anu was “excited” about participating in “government formation”. “If we don’t cast our votes,how can we ask the leaders to work for us?” she said. The Delhi University B.Com student wants her vote to bring about a change for women’s safety. “Even though we have the Metro now,it is difficult to travel after 8 pm. I never feel safe in the city; it is high time the government does something,” she said.

Geet Tandon (21)
Constituency: New Delhi
Lives in Lajpat Nagar
BBA student Geet said he was more “curious” than excited about voting for the first time. “We people complain a lot,but we can do that only after we vote,” he said.

Rashmi Sethi (19)
Constituency: New Delhi
Lives in Kailash Colony
“I just wanted to check out how voting is done,” Rashmi,who has been waiting to vote since the Delhi Assembly elections last year,said. “I checked the (Election Commission’s) website and got my name included in the voter list at the last minute,” The Delhi University B.Com (Hons) student said.

Narendra Sharma (44)
Constituency: East Delhi
Lives in Karkardooma court complex
“Politicians just fool people,” says the unlikely ‘first-time’ voter. And this is the reason Sharma never voted before. “This year I learnt about Rule 49 (O),which says a voter can choose not to vote for anyone. So I went to the polling station,but they said they do not have any such option,” he said. Sharma added he wanted to register a protest because “if 200 people choose to vote through 49 (O),it will bring about a change”. “Just look at the DDA scam. An honest public servant like me can never dream of owning a house in Delhi. When I retire,where will my children and I go?” he said.