According to the recently released electoral role by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the upcoming State Assembly elections, approximately 42 per cent of the total voting population in the Goa is below 40 years of age (18 – 39), whereas the new voters count is 3 percent (18 – 19).
The figures released by the ECI shows that 4,72,420 voters are in the age group of 18-39 years which amounts to 42 percent of the total voting population in the State. While, 4,25,862 voters are in the age group of 40-59 years of age making it another 40 per cent whereas 2,10,179 voters fall in the 60-80 age category which makes another 20 percent approximately of Goa’s total voting population.
However, further breakups of the list indicates that 3 per cent of the voters this time are from the age group of 18 – 19 year which are mostly the new voters. A total of 31,287 voters will cast their votes for the first time.
EC statistics further divulge that total 1,91,469 voters fall in the age limit of 20 – 29 years which is a 18 per cent of the total voting population of Goa.
To add further, the statistics claim that in the age group of 30-39 years which claims to be mature voters are 2,49,664 contributes to 23 per cent share of total voting.
The observations claim that 42 % or a whopping 4.72 lakh voters in the age group of 18-39 have neither been approached nor addressed by any political party. If these 42% are analyzed separately as a full mass, it reveals that first time voters are less but a big chunk of 1.91 lakhs voters are in the 20-29 age groups.
Most significantly, 23% of the youth vote (18-39) is in the 30-39 age group which can be called “Mature youth” who are decisive.
“I have asked colleges students of which some are first time voters and have also encouraged them to spread the message to rest of their friends and family members. The electoral role released by the EC shows that approximately 31,000 news voters have enrolled themselves” said a political science lecturer from an esteemed college, who did not want to reveal his identity.
“The young voters today are well aware and the same old election tricks cannot play dirty with them. Some old promises made by the political leaders in the 2012 assembly elections in name of votes will also play a major role, the political party’s don’t understand the power of youth and how it can change the face of politics. I don’t see any good schemes or platforms for the youth as leaders are not bothered to address this large chunk” he added.
In a state that has the highest number of voters in the age group of 18 – 39 years of 11,8,461 electorate – the youth, from Pernem to Canancona look to vote beyond caste and religion.
Anirudha Naik (23), a resident of Merces said, “I have high hopes from these Goa State assembly elections. I want the party that emerges victorious pays attention to employment in the state, infrastructure and better educational facilities.”
Meanwhile, Manasi Chari, a MSC student from St Xaviers College, Mapusa said, “These elections are going to be interesting and I can see lot of revolutionary ideas and candidates will be contesting this year. I wish in this election the actual democracy comes into the power. I feel elections are conducted for benefits of the society and hence I feel society should participate in huge number to choose the correct representative of the people.”
