Hyderabad: Youngistaan members discuss strategies to improve voter turnout, elevate participation

Hyderabad: A diverse assembly of youth from Telangana gathered for a stimulating roundtable discussion on voter engagement and political reform on Saturday.

Organised by the Youngistaan Foundation, a Hyderabad-based NGO, the event brought together representatives from various sectors including corporate, academia, government job aspirants and artists to exchange perspectives and propose innovative solutions to enhance democratic participation.

Identifying deterrents to voting

Participants delved into why people abstain from voting, citing factors such as lack of interest, migration and inadequate emphasis on voter registration as primary deterrents.

Advocating for the mandatory inclusion of voter IDs as a primary identity proof, attendees stressed the need for comprehensive electoral reforms to incentivise participation.

Reforming education and evaluating candidates

Addressing educational pressures, Harinee, a member of the NGO, advocated for reforms to alleviate burdens on young adults, emphasising the importance of practical knowledge acquisition over rote learning.

When discussing voting considerations, Nehith, another member outlined a holistic approach, evaluating candidates based on manifesto, past performance, and community feedback.

Proposals and suggestions

Participants proposed accountability mechanisms akin to academic grading systems and legally binding promises by elected representatives to ensure accountability. Exploring technology’s potential in modernising the electoral process, ideas such as digital voting platforms and voting apps were highlighted to enhance accessibility and convenience.

Encouraging voter turnout

Corporate employee Sneha stressed the importance of voting, advocating measures to enable easier participation. She emphasised the significance of voting to prevent future regrets, stating that prevention is better than cure.

Arun Daniel Yellamaty, founder of Youngistaan Foundation, encouraged young people to participate in the voting process, emphasising the importance of engaging with them through various initiatives such as concerts, art events, town halls, and discussions to promote voter turnout.

Residential groups pitch in to improve voter turnout

In another unique initiative, several Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) collaborated to place booth lists at local establishments, enabling residents to check their vote details conveniently. The initiative aimed to increase voter turnout by facilitating easy access to voting information.

The United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (U-FERWAS), under the SVEEP initiative, prepared posters to increase the voting percentage on May 13, the Parliamentary election voting day. The executive committee of U-FERWAS urged the circulation of these posters through social media groups to encourage higher voter turnout.

Telangana’s youth and other groups demonstrated proactive engagement in shaping the future of democracy, emphasising the importance of electoral reform and civic engagement to foster accountable governance and inclusive democratic processes.