Hyderabadi women organise group voting, send ECI appeals, encourage first-timers

Hyderabad: For the ensuing Lok Sabha elections across the country, the voter turnout has been lower than expected in the previous years.

The ongoing heat wave, high decibel and low standards of election speeches, general irritation with winning candidates jumping parties and school holidays coinciding with the polling days have taken their toll. But women in our twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are determined to vote for the candidates of their choice on May 13 when Telangana goes to polls. Why not, when it is women who mostly run the house and are feeling the pinch of ever-rising prices and anxiousness about their children’s future?

Motivating others

Some women want to exercise their right to franchise and motivate others.

Civic-minded Shailaja Gopinath, principal of Delhi Public School said,

“‘This message from me, I hope you will note

Your day and time you will devote

On 13th you will go and cast your precious vote

Our national duty we must fulfil

In our younger family members

This spirit we must instil.’

I just sent this message to my extended family. I reminded all my cousins to cast their vote without fail. I have already declared an off for my small retinue of domestic help. We were scheduled to travel out of Hyderabad but we rescheduled our travel to the afternoon of May 13. We will leave only after we cast our vote!”

Others like VB Shanker said, “My wife Rajam and I, along with our daughter Hamsini and five members of our domestic help’s family, all with our voter IDs registered at my place in Sainikpuri and voter slips will be balloting in the MKRM Hall booth.”

A first-time voter with a twist

Some teens are understandably excited about voting for the first time.

However, a few like Mira Pawar are late bloomers. She said, “Leave alone grouping with or motivating others, here, at 75 years of age, I am going to be voting for the first time in my life. I got married at 18 and was in Pune for 12 years where I somehow did not vote. I left for Dubai in 1980 and returned in 2007. In 2008, I applied for my voter’s card. I kept the counterfoil for 19 years and followed up a couple of times but to no avail. Three months ago, my son came up with the bright idea of applying for the voter’s card online (now that the facility is available) and guess what, I got my voter’s card. So, for the first time, I am going to be voting.”

Why should you vote?

Deepa Shailendra said, “It takes every citizen to grow a prosperous nation! I’m doing my bit by showing up at the poll booth and casting my vote.”

Anita Menon said, “I am definitely going to vote so I can contribute the tiniest bit towards nation-building. I am giving a holiday to my domestic help so they took can go to their village and exercise their franchise.”

Essential preparations for voters

Some like Arundhati Ann Gandikota Malik have made elaborate arrangements on voting day.

She said, “My vote counts! As a mother, I’m concerned about the future of India for my kids. By participating in this democratic process, I believe I am facilitating the growth of India my children inherit. Make your voice heard on May 13 and contribute to building a better India for all our children. In anticipation of the upcoming elections, our women’s group has engaged in thorough discussions regarding the candidates standing for election in our area. We’ve carefully gathered the necessary documents – photo ID, gas connection, and Aadhaar card – to ensure a smooth voting experience. Recognising the importance of preparation, we’ve also put together a care bag containing essential items such as a water bottle, a sanitiser and biscuits for sustenance, masks and umbrellas for protection against the elements. Additionally, we’ve considered the needs of elderly members by including folding chairs for comfort during any potential wait. These preparations reflect our commitment to ensuring that everyone in our group can participate in the electoral process comfortably and confidently.”

In addition, she has arranged a pop-up to serve election day high tea with a fun menu in Yapral for groups to bond after voting.

A letter to the election commissioner

Radhika Chandika said, “Just this morning I wrote this email to the election commission.

‘Dear Election Commissioner,

There are lakhs of Indian citizens residing abroad. They may be students, on-site professionals, businessmen and women etc. They have parents, siblings, property etc in India. As Indian citizens, they have an interest in what is happening in India on the political front. Though they have voting rights in India, they hesitate to travel to India for voting as it is not financially viable, getting leave or other reasons. If they can be given the opportunity to vote online it would be a great decision and a change maker.

Thanks and regards,

Radhika Chandika.’”

She is still waiting for a reply.

Radhika also tried to motivate others to go and vote.

“In the apartments, I keep asking the watchmen and domestic help whether they are going to vote. I meet them when I walk into the parking lot. I ask them to think about the changes that happened in their lives in the last five or 10 years. Whether the change was positive or negative and who is responsible for it. Depending on this I ask them to decide who to vote for.”

Facilitating voters

Others like Sunita facilitate voting for others. “I have asked both my home helpers to take leave from work and vote. One of them is going to Andhra Pradesh to cast her vote and one will cast her vote here.”

Manognya Reddy told us, “I will be voting along with my husband. My staff will be voting as well! Their polling centres are different so they will go on their own.”

Subhalakshmi Ghosh Mazumdar informed us, “There are no defined plans for the election day. But I have cut short my visit to my parents’ place and am back in Hyderabad just to cast my vote. I am an extremely opinionated person. I think my vote gives me the legitimacy to talk for my country and makes me feel connected to my India.”

Some like Gopinath Sarbada ensure that they give their staff a holiday to vote. He says, “Luckily, our maid and gardener are proactive and declared that they would be travelling to Andhra to cast their votes, a little ahead of the schedule. I wish they cast their votes diligently, without falling prey to the vested interests for some trivial freebies.”

For Kusuma Murthy, it is a family affair. She said, “I plan to go to the polling booth to vote, along with four members of my family.”

Distances travelled

Some cover distances to reach their polling booth. Phani Bala told us, “My sis-in-law currently stays in Gachibowli, but she will come to Kapra to cast her vote along with me and my mother. I am granting leave to my maids so that they can go to their hometown, if need be, to cast their vote. Let’s vote.”

Others travel great distances to vote. Beena Chimalgi said, her daughter Kavya is coming from Chennai just to vote. My maid is going to Andhra Pradesh to vote so she asked for leave and I told her to go ahead.” Kavya added, “I will be travelling to Hyderabad because I want to exercise my right to vote. As they say, every vote counts.”

Senior citizens are the pillars of democracy

Gulshan Bamboat said, “I am going to vote and will be definitely taking my 94-year-old, severely hearing-impaired and very visually-challenged mother to exercise her franchise too.”

Vacations sacrificed

Manjula Reddy said, “On the home front, our family members have been getting online to ensure their polling information is updated. This has been going on for three weeks now. My younger daughter has decided not to travel with her college group as their excursion dates to Paris haven’t been confirmed, and she did not want to miss out on voting. Hopefully, the group will travel after polling day.”

Making an occasion

Many groups of women will also make an occasion to cast their vote. Early voters will go for their walk, cast their votes and then head for the closest breakfast place. Others will dress leisurely, go to their assigned booths and then head for lunch. Many restaurants have spruced up their menus for this special day to attract more customers.