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Raghav Seth (21)

Area – Prabhadevi

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[column size=”2/3″]Do you feel it is important to vote?

As a citizen of the largest Democratic Republic in the world, I accept the “Right to vote” as a privilege, where one is entrusted with the responsibility of deciding the future of one’s own nation.

How do you decide who to vote for? What are the credentials you will look for?

In today’s time, it is not strongest of the species who survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

Will you vote for the party or the candidate?

I believe in one man army. Candidate is whom I vote for.

Are you aware that political parties come out with their manifestos pre-elections?

Yes. I believe political manifesto is a public declaration of intent.

Have you read the manifesto? Or know of anyone who reads it?

Yes I do read political manifestos. I consider it a pre-requisite in casting my vote.

Do you think we should know what the manifesto says before casting our vote?

I believe that these are promises made by the candidates which need to be read before casting one’s vote. A party’s political manifesto defines their vision and interprets their standing in future.
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Kulsum Nakadar (19)

Area – Mahim

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[column size=”2/3″]Do you feel it is important to vote?

Ofcourse, Yes. I certainly feel it is important to vote. Every vote counts and decides the future of the country and it’s people.

How do you decide who to vote for? What are the credentials you will look for?

To decide who to vote for in the present elections is a difficult choice. On one side we have the new emerging party with no political past and very high promises, while on the other hand we have two major parties that have run the nation so far and have hardly fulfilled promises they made earlier.

Will you vote for the party or the candidate?

The focus is majorly on the party and its past performance, but the credentials of the candidate also plays an important role while voting. After all, the background of the party will affect the candidates ideologies and policies that he might make in the future.

Are you aware that political parties come out with their manifestos pre-elections?

I do know that political parties have their manifestos displayed on their websites. But frankly how many of them fulfill all the promises that they make after coming to power?

Have you read the manifesto? Or know of anyone who reads it?

This is the first time I will be eligible to vote. I haven’t read the manifesto of any political party as yet, and even if I do read I would hardly ever believe that any of those promises listed would be fulfilled by the party. As it’s rightly said ‘power corrupts a man’, and time and again this has been proven by the leaders of our country.

Do you think we should know what the manifesto says before casting our vote?

I think all we need is an assurance from the candidate that power would not corrupt him, and that if he could bring
about a little change for the betterment of the country and its citizens it would be enough to prove that he/she was deserved to be voted.
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Nupur Karam (19)

Area – Santacruz (East)

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[column size=”2/3″]Do you feel it is important to vote?

Yes, I feel it is really important to vote. I believe, if as citizens of this country we have assumed it our right to complain about the nation’s worsening condition, we must accept that it is our responsibility to elect a worthy person who can handle the reigns of our democracy.

How do you decide who to vote for? What are the credentials you will look for?

The one thing I’ll definitely not want a potential candidate to do, would be to engage in political gimmicks to garner votes, when the elections are around the corner. The credentials that matter are sound political and legal knowledge, a contemporary outlook, good communication skills, sincerity and perseverance.

Will you vote for the party or the candidate?

I will vote for the party. In a party if the members who really want to bring about changes in the country join hands, they will emerge powerful, strong enough to suppress the members who are only looking out for personal gains. They can prove to the people that two heads are better than one. If the cooks are right, then the broth will never be spoiled.

Are you aware that political parties come out with their manifestos pre-elections?

Yes, I am aware about the manifestos.

Have you read the manifesto? Or know of anyone who reads it?

No, I have not read any manifesto. But since the upcoming elections will be the first time that I’ll be casting my vote, I’ll at least glance through the manifestos, before voting for a preferred party. I don’t know of anyone who reads a manifesto.

Do you think we should know what the manifesto says before casting our vote?

I think it’s important that we read manifestos. It not only carries the work plan that the party plans to execute, but also talks about the various problems that exist in our country, that need immediate attention. But, while casting our vote, entirely relying on a manifesto would be wrong.
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Vidhi Trivedi (21)

Area – Tardeo

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[column size=”2/3″]Do you feel it is important to vote?

Yes, it is very important to vote and I feel proud to do so.

How do you decide who to vote for? What are the credentials you will look for?

I do not follow political news but for the voting period I do feel it is mandatory to at least check on every candidates background and past performance.

Will you vote for the party or the candidate?

It will be the candidate. It takes just one right person to change the world.

Are you aware that political parties come out with their manifestos pre-elections?

Yes, I am aware of it only because it is hung on our housing society board. Although there is a strong need to make these manifestos public and more reachable than now.

Have you read the manifesto? Or know of anyone who reads it?

I glance through it, but my parents read.

Do you think we should know what the manifesto says before casting our vote?

Although there isn’t much of a difference between the promises made by the various political party every five years during elections. I do feel that the manifestos should be read at least once. It is important to know the vision and ideology of each party and then take a call.
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