‘Real issues neglected by parties’
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, April 6 – Majority women voters in Guwahati, who came out to exercise their voting rights today, felt that issues concerning day-to-day life of common citizens have been relegated to the back burner by political parties.
High voltage campaign, mudslinging and tall promises, clubbed with whirlwind tours by the top national leaders failed to impress the women voters, who said that politics today was not connected with the real issues of common citizens.
In all the four constituencies of Kamrup Metro, women votes are a deciding factor with female voters surpassing their male counterparts.
In 51-Jalukbari LAC, out of 2, 04,415 voters, there are 1, 04,025 female voters compared to 1, 00,378 male voters. Similarly, in 52-Dispur, there are 2, 04,134 male voters and 2, 07,489 women voters.
In 53-Gauhati East, there are 1, 21,112 women voters compared to 1, 18,385 male voters. Finally in 54-Gauhati West also, there are 1, 50, 380 female voters compared to 1, 46,540 male voters.
Mandira Moulik, a 62-year-old voter of Gauhati East LAC, who came out to vote in Dakhin Sarania Prathamik Vidyalaya polling station said that price rise that hit all sections of population was totally ignored by the political parties.
“We are concerned with the national issues, the economy and infiltration. But inflation is no less a problem for those struggling to make both ends meet. I am worried how this issue was downplayed in this election,” she added.
Salina Begum, a young professional, expressing her concern at the COVID situation, said that both homemakers and working women were mostly affected during the lockdown. “The assembly elections, where we elect our MLAs must concentrate on the local issues. The lives of the common people, their livelihood and their problems must be given priority. I will vote for a candidate, whose approach is more real and people-centric,” she added.
Increasing incidents of theft and burglary in Guwahati city is one of the biggest problems of the city, which was ignored by the major political parties.
“Two years back, thieves decamped with all my valuables from my Shantipur residence. Despite police complaint and CCTV footage, they are yet to be arrested,” Aarti Das, a voter of Gauhati West said.
Nalini Tahbildar Chenikuthi Hillside, Papori Ghosh of Dhirenpara and Soma Biswas, an HS student of Maligaon area, too shared similar concern about rising crime in Guwahati.
Women engaged in election duty were seen discharging their duties diligently. Efficient management of specially set up all-women polling booths in Guwahati drew accolades from the voters.
“The voters are well aware of the COVID protocol and are mostly following the COVID-appropriate behaviour. For those who forgot to wear their masks, we are providing them single use masks,” said Hridayananda Das, presiding officer of an all-women polling booth in Assam Textile Institute.
However, in parts of the city, some women officials faced logistical problems while setting up all-women booths.
In B Borooah College, the machines and other important documents were shifted to another room the previous night because of the broken glass windows of the allotted room.
“We registered complaint with the section officer regarding the broken windows, which pose a security threat. Besides, mosquitoes were a big issue in the polling station,” said Bandana Sarma, the presiding officer of 152 (L/W) polling booth.
