The Election Commission and social media campaigns to raise voter awareness seem to be yielding results, going by a recent survey. The survey by an industry chamber found that 65 per cent youth in Delhi were enthusiastic about voting in the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections on April 15.
Many of these youths are first-time voters, Mr D.S. Rawat, Secretary-General, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) said, while releasing the survey.
The recent Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh where Mr Akhilesh Yadav, a youth icon emerged at the helm, was also a factor is encouraging the youth to vote, according to the survey.
Not aware
Not surprisingly, youth in better-off and posh South and Central Delhi zones seemed least interested. Only 12 respondents in the South zone and 15 in the Central zone out of 50 in each with posh areas such as Safdarjung Enclave, Vasant Kunj, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, New Friends Colony, Green Park, Greater Kailash, Chitranjan Park, South Extension and others said they were aware of the elections, but only five in South and eight in Central zone said they would vote in the MCD elections.
However, 80 per cent youngsters in East and North, comprising Shahdara, Anand Vihar, Krishna Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Preet Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, Kamla Nagar, Model Town, Rana Pratap Bagh, Timarpur and others seemed enthusiastic and well-informed about their voting rights and said they would vote.
Youth in the West zone such as Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, Janakpuri, Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Pashchim Vihar etc. said they were aware of their voting rights and would surely vote.
The survey was done by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation at all the 12 MCD zones, covering 600 young adults (50 in each zone) in the age group of 18 to 29 years.