Patna: For many young residents of Bankipur, the upcoming byelection will be their first opportunity to exercise their franchise. As political parties intensify their outreach to this new electorate, first-time voters said they were more concerned about candidates who can address everyday issues than campaign rhetoric.From employment and quality education to civic infrastructure and women’s safety, young voters said their choices would be shaped by performance and promises that lead to visible change. Many first-time voters claim they are looking beyond political slogans and caste equations, with jobs, education, traffic congestion, better roads, cleanliness and safety emerging as key issues discussed on college campuses, coaching centres and residential areas.
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Students preparing for competitive examinations said they wanted their elected representative to focus on employment generation, improving educational facilities, including hostels and coaching centres, and creating better opportunities for youth. They also stress the need for improved public transport and safer roads for daily commuters.Avinash Kumar (19), who is preparing for competitive exams, said most candidates this time are new, except a few. “We are still debating, who is better candidate and who should we vote for. A good representative is important to carry forward the work done by the predecessor,” he said.Another student, Saurabh Suman, said better civic amenities and educational infrastructure were among the issues he would consider while exercising his franchise.Young women voters highlighted safety, street lighting and improved policing as their priorities. “Recently, the presence of smackers and drug addicts have increased in my locality, which is quite unsafe for women to walk alone at night especially the narrow lanes. No doubt, there is police patrolling but not in dingy lanes. Most of the crime happened in such places,” said Rudrika, a resident of Kadamkuan.Residents have also raised concerns over poor drainage, damaged roads, traffic bottlenecks and irregular garbage collection. Garima Singh, a resident of Rajendra Nagar, said, “I will vote for development and growth of Patna.”According to Patna district administration data, Bankipur has 3,79,616 voters, including 4,998 first-time voters aged 18-19 years. Nearly 55% of the electorate comprises young voters.
