Jubilee Hills bypoll sees low turnout from first-time voters

The Jubilee Hills bypoll in Hyderabad saw a subdued turnout from younger voters, despite many having enrolled as first-time voters. While some arrived early with family and expressed excitement, many others skipped voting due to academic commitments or lack of interest.

Hyderabad: Younger voters gave a lukewarm response in the Jubilee Hills by-poll held on Tuesday. At certain polling stations, they queued in the morning between 7 am and 9 am. In some booths they were accompanied by parents and grandparents.

However, many young voters did not take part in the polling held on Tuesday with enthusiasm. Though they enrolled as new voters, they did not cast their votes. A few first time and young voters were seen in certain polling stations located at Vengal Rao Nagar, Madhura Nagar, Borabanda, Shaikpet, Erragadda, Kalyan Nagar and Rahmath Nagar.

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At polling stations, a poll duty official said first-time voters had two reasons for not participating in the polling.

“There might be two reasons for not taking part in the polling. One is that most of the first time voters are pursuing graduation and technical education. As their institutions are located far away from the city and their buses will pick them at 8 am onwards, they might not be able to cast their vote. The second reason is that they might not be interested in taking part in polling,” he said.

However, a few first-time voters who voted were thrilled and excited, expressing their enthusiasm as they queued up at the polling stations early in the morning.

“Casting our vote for the first time was a memorable experience,” they said, adding that they were proud to participate in the democratic process.

Some first-time voters also mentioned that they had been eagerly waiting for this day and had come prepared with their voter ID cards and necessary documents.

Parents and grandparents who were accompanied by their grandchildren (first time voters) for the polling expressed their joy.

Many families arrived together at the polling stations, with elders guiding the young voters through the process. Elders shared that witnessing their grandchildren cast their first vote was a proud and emotional moment.

The parents stated that as they have already cast their votes for the past four decades either in the general assembly elections or Parliament elections, now the new generation should also make use of the opportunity.