Kerala's Gen Z Voters Voice Frustration Over Distant Election Campaigns
Kavya M scrolls through Instagram reels while enjoying chicken biryani at a street-side eatery in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram. Her social media feeds are flooded with election campaign snippets, candidate promises, and political tussles for seats. However, she barely watches them, skimming through content that feels increasingly disconnected from her reality.
As an arts student, Kavya maintains political awareness but struggles with a persistent feeling that she's missing something crucial. The electioneering surrounding her appears distant and difficult to relate to, a sentiment echoed by many of Kerala's Generation Z voters who have grown up in significantly better circumstances than their parents.
Youth Priorities Overlooked in Political Discourse
"I believe political parties should bring more educated individuals, including young people, into electoral politics," Kavya emphasized. "Informed perspectives and opinions are frequently absent from governance. We need tangible progress and development such as improved roads, scientific waste disposal systems, reduced crime rates, nighttime security, and increased employment opportunities through regular Public Service Commission recruitment and new private sector companies."
Generation Z voters feel their core interests—high-paying jobs, skill development, promising future prospects, and environmental conservation—are not being addressed at the pace they demand. This demographic, born between 1997 and 2012, represents a smaller percentage of Kerala's population compared to other states, yet approximately 4 lakh first-time voters exist among the 2.69 crore total electorate.
Educational System and Employment Gap Criticized
Karthik Hari, a final-year engineering student, highlighted systemic issues in education and employment. "In both government and private engineering colleges, the focus remains on completing semesters rather than ensuring genuine student learning. Insufficient industries exist for internships, and comprehensive skill training is desperately needed. Many individuals leave Kerala for education and work opportunities, a trend that must be reversed."
Abhishek B R, a postgraduate literature student, called for political consensus on youth-benefiting schemes. "Currently, parties prioritize ideology and propaganda over practical solutions. The constant tug-of-war between central and state governments has negatively impacted numerous schemes. The state government must bridge the gap between education completion and job acquisition through foreign university campuses, post-college skill development programs, startup support, and reduced education loan interest rates."
Demands for Electoral Reforms and Youth Inclusion
Abhishek further advocated for significant electoral reforms. "A right-to-recall option should be implemented. Candidates should possess proper educational qualifications, and maximum age limits for election contests must be established."
Skandan S, a first-year BSc geology student, emphasized trust and consultation. "Political parties must become more trustworthy by delivering on promises rather than making false commitments. Youth are rarely consulted on governance matters. When did the government last conduct surveys to understand youth perspectives on policy issues? Young people deserve greater decision-making space through younger candidates and increased youth recruitment in ministerial and legislative staff."
Hope for Younger, Proactive Political Leadership
Despite the challenges, young voters like Kavya maintain hope for political transformation. "We hope to see more educated, young, proactive politicians instead of individuals in their seventies and eighties clinging to power despite requiring assistance even for basic mobility."
Kerala's Generation Z represents a politically aware demographic seeking substantive change, youth representation in governance, and policies addressing their specific concerns about employment, education, and environmental sustainability.
