Chamundeshwari has highest number of new voters with 7,644; T. Narasipur lowest with 4,188

By M.B. Pavan Murthy

As voters across the State prepare to exercise their right to vote, there is a palpable sense of excitement among new and first-time voters who are eager to participate in the democratic process of the world’s largest democracy.

In Mysuru district, there are 57,048 new voters aged between 18 and 19 who are particularly enthusiastic about casting their votes for the first time.

Mysuru has a total of 26,55,988 voters, and to encourage young voters to come in large numbers, the District Administration has set up 11 polling booths — one in each of the 11 Assembly Constituencies in the district — specifically for these voters.

Notably, when compared to the data of the 2018 elections, the number of voters eligible to vote has gone up by 2.3 lakh in the Mysuru district in the last five years. As per the final electoral roll, over 26,55,988 lakh are eligible to vote in all the 11 Assembly Constituencies. In 2018, about 24.3 lakh were eligible to vote in the Mysuru district. In the last month alone, over 30,000 voters have enrolled.

The power of youth is widely considered to be decisive for India’s future. While there is no undisputed international definition of young age, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines people aged 15-24 as young. However, in the context of voting in India, youths aged 18-19 are considered   young voters.

Among the 11 Assembly Constituencies in Mysuru district, Chamundeshwari Constituency stands out with the highest number of new voters at 7,644. Periyapatna has 5,243, K.R. Nagar 6,043, Hunsur 6,473, H.D. Kote 4,925, Nanjangud 4,027, Krishnaraja 3,704, Chamaraja 3,860, Narasimharaja 5,919, Varuna 5,022 and T. Narasipur has 4,188 new voters.

While 11 polling booths have been established across the district specifically for young voters to cast their votes, it is important to note that these booths are not restricted to only young voters. Any voter is welcome to cast their vote in these booths. These 11 booths have been set up symbolically to attract young voters, and only young polling officers have been assigned to perform election duties in these booths.

Details of young voter booths

Polling booths for young voters have been established in various locations across the Mysuru district, including at the Government Higher Primary School in Kampalapura of Periyapatna Constituency (Polling Booth Number 182 — Model Green Polling Booth), Government Higher Primary School in Kanchinakere village of K.R. Nagar Constituency (Polling Booth No. 65), Government Higher Primary School in Karigowda Street in Hunsur town (Polling Booth No. 111) of Hunsur Constituency and Government Model Higher Primary Girls School in H.D. Kote town (Polling Booth No. 107) of H.D. Kote Constituency.

Other young voter polling booths have also been established at Government Lower Primary School in Deveerammahalli Palya (Polling Booth No.  99) of Nanjangud Constituency, Udbur Government Higher Primary School (Polling Booth No. 286) of Chamundeshwari Constituency, JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science on Ooty Road in Mysuru (Polling Booth No. 237) of Krishnaraja Constituency, Vidyavardhaka Law College in Mysuru (Polling Booth No. 189) of Chamaraja Constituency, KSRTC Guest House at Bannimantap (Polling Booth No. 1) of NR Constituency, Government Lower Primary School in Mosambayanahalli (Polling Booth No. 91) of Varuna Constituency and Kaliyur Government Higher Primary School (Polling Booth No. 213) of T. Narasipur Constituency.

These booths have been established specifically to attract young voters, but are open  to all voters.

I am going to cast my first vote for a deserving candidate. I am proud to be a part of the democratic process of my country and am going to create awareness about compulsory voting among my friends and neighbours. — A.P. Darshan, Paramedical student, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute

Voting is the duty of every citizen and also a matter of pride. I am eager to cast my vote for the first time. I will be coming to Mysuru from Bengaluru to cast my vote and nobody should excuse themselves from voting saying they are away from their voting place. I will exercise my voting right for a deserving candidate after checking the background. The party is not important to me. —A.P. Nayana Priya, IT company employee

I am voting for the first time. It is our responsibility to cast our vote and to elect a good candidate. I am excited as this is for the first time I am voting. I will definitely vote on May 10 and urge others to practise ethical voting. —Kavya, student, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering

Voting right has been given in our democracy for all those who have completed 18 years of age. Accordingly, I am eligible to vote this time and am looking forward to cast my vote on May 10. Let’s all use our voting right in an appropriate manner. I have decided to vote for a candidate who has the ability to do good to the society. —Chandana, student, SJCE JSS Science and  Technology University