There is some good news. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is ranked among top three when it comes to the percentage of first-time voters who have registered to vote. The state of Telangana is at number one with 67 percent of first-time voters registering for vote while as the youths of Jammu and Kashmir are ranked a close second at 62 percent. This marks a shift in as far as the political inclination of youth in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir now want better roads, better transport, better infrastructure and better sports facilities. This higher percentage of voter registration also entails that the youth see themselves as an agent of change and their aspirations can not rolled under the bus. This is also indicative of the fact that the establishment in Jammu and Kashmir was successfully able to broadcast the message to first-time voters about the voting process and about the fact that their vote can be critical in the election process. The state establishment deserves a pat on the back for this.
However, there is a worrying trend when it comes to states like Bihar at a mere 17 percent first-time voter registration, and Delhi at 21 percent first-time voter registration. The state of Uttar Pradesh has also performed dismally at 23 percent first-time voters registration.
The Instagram and YouTube generation needs to be told about the power that their vote has, their ability to make change happen, and development to thrive. Youth can bring in fresh ideas and guide the government on important youth-related issues. If the youth are not interested in politics in means there was a serious lapse in communicating the message to them. How can teenage voters not play their due role in the electoral process?
It must be reiterated that the governments in Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh have done something remarkably well to attract teenagers towards the electoral process. The other states and union territories need to learn from this and implement the same strategy in their respective states and union territories. Youth play a pivotal part in any political process. Innovative strategies need to be drawn to attract youth towards the electoral process on urgent basis.
