Farmers Movement Archive

Bihar: 35 lakh first-time voters to play key role this election

PATNA: More than 7.29 crore people, including 3.39 crore women and 2,344 third gender, will exercise their franchise in the three-phase state assembly elections, the schedule for which was announced by the Commission of India (ECI) on Friday. At least 35 lakh voters will participate in the democratic exercise for the first time in the state, ECI sources said. Abhishek Anand, a resident of A G Colony here and a first-time voter, said he would cast his vote in favour of the candidate who has the vision to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness in the city. “Garbage collection does take place, but it is not properly organised. Waterlogging is a perennial problem in our locality,” he said. Abhishek Dhar of Ashiana Nagar said flood menace in north Bihar, waterlogging and sanitation issues would drive his voting choice. “We in Patna are still safe. However, those living in north Bihar districts suffer from floods every year. This needs to be resolved,” he said. Dhar said he voted for first time in 2019 general election and it would be his first assembly election as a voter. Pragya Jha, who will exercise her franchise in Saharsa, said her choice would be the one who addresses the issue of unemployment. “The results of an examination conducted by Bihar Staff Selection Commission two years ago are still pending,” she added. Anju Shrivastava, a housewife from A G Colony, said though liquor prohibition, girl education and discouraging dowry were some of the good steps taken by the state government, their implementation could have been better. Another housewife, Neeta Sinha from Gardanibagh, said the next government should bring necessary changes to usher in all-round development in the state. “Liquor prohibition has not shown desired results at the ground level yet,” she said. Sociologist D M Diwakar said this election would be decisive for Nitish Kumar. “Anti-incumbency and reverse migration would be major factors. Those who had returned during lockdown have some expectations from the next government,” Diwakar said. “For young voters, employment, education and timely examinations are major factors. “There is lack of teachers in government schools and colleges yet. Educated youths should realise that there are still employment opportunities for them in state,” Diwakar added. He said development would also be a big issue. “There is no doubt that road connectivity and power supply have improved in the state. However, there is no respite from flood menace in the state yet and agricultural growth has also remained poor. Crop growth rate is negative in the state. The fact that Nitish has supported passage of farm Bills in the Parliament will have an impact on the election,” he said.

The Times of India

2020-09-27

Patna