Youths in Nagaland cast their vote to make a difference

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | April 19 

Polling day arrived in Nagaland on April 19 as the State’s adult population went out to exercise their franchise to determine Nagaland’s representative for the 18th Lok Sabha. 

Among those in the electorate include first time voters and a sizeable number of youths, who seek to make a difference in the state through their individual votes. 

One such voter, Temsu, from the 2 Dimapur II Assembly Constituency (AC), told The Morung Express that this was the first election in which he voted. “I felt the need to cast my vote this time as a responsible citizen and youth who hopes to see change,” he said. Although not much inclined towards politics, he noted that casting his vote gave him a sense of authority over one’s own destiny regardless of the impact it might have on the overall impact. 

At the same time, he viewed the youths of the state should not be complacent and do what is needed when it truly matters such as electing their representatives. 

Another youth from 3 Dimapur III AC, a first time voter himself, shared the hope that his individual vote would bring about the desired change necessary in the state right now. “Right now, what we need is a new leader who would stand up for our rights and bring changes wherever required,” he said. 

Imnasangla Ao, a young voter from 4 Ghaspani I AC, meanwhile, felt ‘empowered’ at casting her vote for the first time. “Whatever happens or whatever the results are, I hope there would be good change happening in our state,” she said. A common observation made by this newspaper when interviewing youths of the state is a yearning for more job creation among issues this time. Likewise, Ao had shared the same expectation stating that whoever gets elected would bring about more employment for the youths. 

Mhaleo Metha, a youth and an artisan from the same constituency as Ao, stressed on the need to have free and fair elections in order to bring out desired outcomes within Nagaland. “Regardless of whom you vote, we must all chose wisely the candidate we wish to be represented by in the national politics,” he said. 

At a polling station in Chümoukedima, Nicky, a degree student noted that voting is a constitutional right which everyone should exercise. Queried on what was the deciding factor this time around, she replied, “(It is) secularism, education and employment.”