From jobs to civic issues, Cachar’s 34,000 first-time voters spell out priorities

Silchar, April 2: Amid the din of campaign activity across Cachar district, a quieter but increasingly decisive force is emerging in the run-up to the April 9 Assembly elections - first-time voters.

According to the final electoral roll published on February 10, Cachar has 13,81,903 electors, of whom 34,498 fall in the 18–19 age group and will be voting for the first time. Their numbers, though modest, are beginning to influence the electoral discourse with a clear set of expectations.

Conversations with young voters across the district reveal a shift in priorities, from rhetoric to results. Issues such as employment, migration, healthcare, urban flooding and infrastructure dominate their concerns, reflecting lived realities rather than political slogans.

At the centre of their anxieties is the steady outflow of young talent. Jyoti Rajbongshi, a Political Science student of Cachar College, said the lack of local opportunities continues to push youth out of the state.

“If there are opportunities here, why would we leave?” she asked, underscoring the demand for job creation within Assam.

For Tomalika Purkayastha, a second-semester student at Women’s College, Silchar, voting is both a responsibility and a learning process.

“I keep asking my parents about the candidates and parties so I can understand better before I choose,” she said, pointing to how political awareness is being shaped through everyday discussions.

Civic issues, particularly in Silchar, also feature prominently. Sonia Baidya highlighted the recurring problem of monsoon flooding, attributing it to inadequate drainage systems and calling for long-term solutions.

Sneha Paul, a Journalism student at Ramanuj Gupta Degree College, pointed to the absence of a strong industrial or IT ecosystem.

“There are hardly any multinational companies or IT sectors here. That’s why youths prefer to move out,” she said, while also emphasising the need for better roads and improved women’s safety.

Healthcare infrastructure remains another major concern. Shibashish Chakraborty, a student of the same college, flagged overcrowding at Silchar Medical College and the lack of accessible super-speciality services.

“In emergencies, people still think of going to Guwahati or Chennai. That says everything,” he said.

Traffic congestion and failing civic systems add to the frustration. “Every year it’s the same story - submerged roads, delays, disruptions. We just want to reach our destinations on time,” said Barnali Singha, calling for better traffic management and waterlogging-free roads.

What unites these voices is a clear demand for accountability. Unlike earlier voting patterns shaped by legacy loyalties, this cohort is increasingly informed and independent in its choices.

Social media and greater access to information have sharpened their scrutiny of political claims.

As Cachar heads towards polling day, first-time voters are not merely participating in the democratic process but redefining its expectations. Their message is direct - create jobs locally, fix basic infrastructure, improve healthcare, and ensure governance that delivers.

For this new electorate, development is not an abstract promise but a tangible need - measured in opportunities, mobility, safety and access to reliable public services.