CEC urges youth to vote

New Delhi: With Delhi Assembly elections nearing, Chief Election Commissioner Hari Shankar Brahma on Friday urged the youth, especially the first-time voters, to come out and cast their votes. 

“India is one of the youngest democracies in the world with the largest number of voters – nearly 84 crore. Every Indian who is above 18 years of age is eligible to vote. The youth in the age group of 18-19 years comprises 2.5 per cent of the total population,” he said. 

“It is the endeavour of the Election Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen in India gets an opportunity to vote,” the CEC said while addressing a seminar on Electoral Reforms in India held at Amity University here. 

Appealing to the young to come out and vote, Brahma said, “The present generation is very impatient…It does not want to stand in a queue for an hour to cast their votes. The youth cannot blame or accuse anyone or anything unless and until they themselves vote.” 

On the forthcoming Delhi Assembly polls, he said the Election Commission was taking all necessary steps to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. 

Also, speaking at the seminar, Additional Solicitor General of India Pinky Anand said, “Indian election process has come a long way in the last 20 years. The recent elections witnessed a huge turnout of voters, showing the eagerness of Indian citizens, especially the first time voters in the age group of 18-19 years to participate in the elections.