Pune's Youngest Voters Step Up in Civic Elections
Thursday's Pune Municipal Corporation elections became a significant personal milestone for many young voters across the city. For numerous Gen Z residents, this marked their very first time participating in civic elections. From bustling college campuses in Shivajinagar to residential neighborhoods in Baner, Wagholi, and Hadapsar, these first-time voters headed out early to polling stations. Some arrived with groups of friends while others came with family members, all eager to exercise their democratic right.
Everyday Issues Take Center Stage
At polling booths throughout Pune, young voters openly discussed the pressing issues that shape their daily lives. Conversations consistently revolved around practical urban challenges. Traffic congestion emerged as a major concern, with many expressing frustration over daily commutes. Public transportation reliability, affordable housing options, clean water supply, and local job opportunities dominated their discussions.
Many young participants described voting as providing them with a genuine sense of inclusion and civic responsibility. They felt their ballots gave them a direct voice in decisions affecting their city's future.
Voices from Different Neighborhoods
Aarav Kulkarni, a nineteen-year-old engineering student from Kothrud, shared his perspective clearly. "I complain about traffic every single day, but today I finally felt I had a real say. Better roads and reliable bus services were my main reasons for voting," he explained.
In Hinjewadi, Sneha Patil, an IT trainee, based her voting decision on safety concerns and basic civic amenities. "Street lighting, women's safety, and proper waste management truly matter to us. Social media debates are fine for discussion, but voting represents where real change actually begins," she stated firmly.
Several young voters acknowledged being influenced by both family discussions and online political campaigns. In Yerawada, commerce student Mohsin Shaikh described his research process. "This generation checks everything online. I closely followed candidates on Instagram and YouTube before making my decision. We voted after carefully examining what candidates promised and how they connected with young people," he said.
Environmental Concerns Resonate Strongly
Environmental issues found particularly strong resonance among Pune's Gen Z voters. Ananya Dutta, an architecture student from Aundh, expressed her worries clearly. "Pune is growing rapidly, but its green cover keeps shrinking. I specifically voted for candidates supporting better urban planning and sustainable development," she emphasized.
Outside a polling station in Wagholi, a cheerful group of friends paused to take selfies, calling the moment truly memorable. Arya Dhere captured their collective sentiment. "This represents our first real step as responsible citizens. We want leaders who actually listen to our concerns," she declared.
Family Participation and Personal Experiences
Sisters Mrunal Pathak (19) and Radhika Pathak (21) both voted for the first time in civic elections together. They shared identical priorities. "Cleanliness remains our biggest concern—public spaces, roadsides, everything needs proper attention. Road conditions and traffic problems must also be addressed as urgent priorities," they stated in unison.
Nineteen-year-old Pushkar Prashant Srivastava admitted to feeling nervous as he entered the polling booth. "I experienced some jitters since this was my first time casting a vote. I am genuinely hoping for better days ahead for our city," he confessed.
Empowering Democratic Participation
Bhakti Kakade (20) described her voting experience as both empowering and encouraging. "The arrangements were systematic, and the overall atmosphere promoted responsible participation. It felt genuinely good to contribute to the democratic process and make my voice count," she reflected.
Law student Swara Kulkarni (20) echoed similar democratic sentiments. "Voting represents both our duty and our power in a democracy. I cast my ballot keeping cleanliness, employment generation, traffic solutions, and infrastructure development firmly in mind. These issues directly impact our quality of life in Pune," she explained thoughtfully.
For Pune's youngest voters, these municipal elections transcended mere ballots and polling booths. They represented a meaningful first step into active civic responsibility, driven by collective hope for a more liveable, inclusive, and sustainable city.
