Young Voters Seek Jobs

By: Sep 30th, 2017 12:30 am

Sunil Sharma      ( cover story )

newsAs Himachal goes to polls later this year, nearly 1.25 lakh new voters have been enrolled and 40567 youths will vote for the first time. As both the main political parties have been trying to woo this section as they can impact poll prospects. Together youths contribute nearly 29.5% of total electorate in this hilly state. Lately,  the focus of almost all parties has been on creating employment opportunities and skill development. As youth find it hard to find employment for livelihood here, they are shifting to neighbouring states. The Congress had promised skill development allowance in its election manifesto during 2012 assembly election that was implemented to allure young voters. The BJP on the other hand held Yuva Hunkar rally in order to galvanise young voters for the upcoming assembly elections. However, employment generation will be a big issue in elections, feel political observers, pointing out that this hilly state has nearly nine lakh unemployed youths who have been looking for opportunities.

At A Glance

* 40567 youths will vote for first time

* 2.05 lakh youths in 18-19 years age group

* 12.03 lakh youths in 20-29 years age group

* 49% female voters

* 29.5% voters out of over 49 lakh electorate are youth

* Names of 47,523 dead and shifted voters deleted from the rolls

* 24.07 lakh women voters and 24.98 lakh male voters besides three NRI and 12 transgender voters

* 7,516 polling stations will be set up at 6,820 locations

Sunil Sharma

newsPolitical parties lay maximum emphasis on youth voters as this section is not particularly inclined towards ideology of any particular political party after completing schooling and college. Such voters are either influenced by their family members or unbiased judgement based on policies of big political parties. Keeping this in view, both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party make big promises with regard to employment generation after every five years.

The parties make tall promises to woo young voters. And similar is the case with regard to women votes who constitute majority of the voters in rural areas. Political parties also make promises keeping the interests of this large section of voters.

As many as 40567 youths out of more than 2 lakh voters will cast their franchise for the first time in upcoming Himachal assembly elections due later this year. Also, 49.5 lakh voters consist of 29.5% youths in this hilly state, including 2.05 lakh voters in 18 to 19 years age category and 12.03 lakh youths in 20 to 29 years age category. Importantly, women also account for 49% of total voters.

9 Lakh Unemployed

Most affected voters in the state are youths as figure of unemployed has crossed 9 lakh mark. Himachali educated youths are not fit for employment in private sector due to lack of experience. As a result, they have to shift to other states to earn livelihood. Despite tall claims, Himachali youths are not getting employment in industries established in the state.  It will be interesting to watch how political parties try to woo youths as they have power to impact poll prospects of any candidate or party in this state.

70% Employment Condition

Successive government since 2003 have been making claim of providing 70% employment to Himachali youths in industries established in Himachal. Not only this, there was an announcement to issue identity cards to such Himachalis also but no such step has been taken in this regard. People from outside Himachal have been successful in small and big employment opportunities in industrial units.

1.25 Lakh New Voters

Nearly 1.25 lakh new voters have been enrolled in Himachal in the run up to state general assembly elections due later this year. Out of these, 40567 voters will use their franchise for the first time in elections.

No District-wise Survey  

No survey has been conducted to know the percentage of youth voters district wise. Nonetheless, they constitute a large section of the electorate in Mandi and Kangra, the two most densely populated districts in Himachal. Surprisingly, industrialisation has not been undertaken in these two big districts as compared to progress made in industrial belts bordering neighbouring states.

Young Voters Feel…

Rishu Thakur* I am very much excited to use my vote for the first time for a candidate who has a vision for people’s service and development especially for youths

-Rishu Thakur, Chamba

Narinder Singh* I will vote for a candidate and political that will ensure overall development of the state in different sectors for creating employment opportunities

-Narinder Singh, Nalagarh

Puru Sharma* Ruling and opposition parties play important role in a healthy and vibrant democracy. I will vote for strengthening the opposition

-Puru Sharma, Shimla

Muskan Is CEC’s Youth Icon

A.K. Joti Chief Election Commissioner of India

newsChief Election Commissioner of India A.K. Joti in a function organised by Election Department in Shimla felicitated youth of the state for their active involvement in strengthening democratic system by way of motivating youth for participation in election process. Chief Election Commissioner lauded the efforts of youth icons and others for creating awareness amongst the youth who are future electors of the nation and will make the democracy stronger. Youth icons Muskan, who is specially-abled youth, along with noted pahari singer Vicky Chauhan were honoured by the Commission. Volunteers of Gian-Vigyan smiti presented drama Show highlighting the importance of aware elector in the election for stronger democracy. A film produced by election department for awareness of elector was also shown on this occasion. Winners of various competitions organised by election department received prizes from Chief Commissioner.

100 Election Awareness Vehicles

The department has set the goal to substantially increase the percentage of voting in Himachal Pradesh through sustained awareness campaign to draw more and more voters to the election booth. He said that there were 49.05 lakh voters in the state as per the latest voting list published on September September, 2017. For effective implementation of instructions of Chief Election Commissioner of India, a detailed work plan had been prepared in the State. More than 100 election awareness vehicles have been engaged to aware the voters of every constituency of the State.

Student Leaders Opine…

Hema Thakur* Youths look for employment opportunities in the state. Political parties should frame policies to provide employment to educated youths. Self employment opportunities need to be encouraged based on tourism sector

-Hema Thakur, State Secretary, ABVP

Vikram Kaith* Youths should elect a government that takes serious steps for providing employment besides strengthening education and health sectors. We will create awareness among youth to use their franchise in upcoming elections for strengthening democracy

-Vikram Kaith, State President, SFI

Karan Sharma* The National Students Union of India will run a campaign ‘My Vote My Right’. It will create awareness among youth to elect a government that provides employment opportunities to them

-Karan Sharma, President, NSUI


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