Pratiksha Pattjoshi, 28, works with an IT major here and is quite excited about casting her vote. “I am eagerly waiting for the poll dates and have already made up my mind on whom I am going to vote for,” said the youngster, who is one among the 66 lakh women voters of the state.
With such a high number of votes to be cast by women, candidates could have done better to reach out to them and their needs.
“No party talks of things that would matter to educated women like me. Nobody talked of equal pay for women on their agenda,” said the techie, Pratiksha, adding that pay parity for women was one important area that needed intervention.
Unlike Pratiksha, schoolteacher Rupashree Das, 40, is not very keen about voting. “There is so much manipulation that I do not think that my one vote would make any difference,” she said, adding that she would not be able to afford time for voting as her maid had left for her village.
Most maids in the city, who are migrant workers, have taken off for voting. “Voting is a big affair at our village. There are street plays and visits by film stars. The ministers visit our houses and if you are lucky enough you get gifts, too,” said Rachana, a labourer.
“My husband knows the names. I vote by the symbol,” she said. Rachana can name Naveen Patnaik, Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Modi, but does not know who are contesting from her constituency.
However, there is another section of women who are taking a good interest in the polls. “One of my distant relatives is contesting from Paradip. My husband also discusses election news at home and updates us making it interesting for the kids as well. I think all families should discuss about politics, so that children can grow up as informed citizens,” said Prachi Sachadeva, a home-maker.
The Election Commission (EC) has conducted voters’ awareness, especially to encourage women to vote.
“The commission has tried to register all women voters and strive for their participation in the poll process to bridge the gender divide,” said Akshay Rout, EC director-general, adding that initiatives had been taken to ensure better turnout of women voters.
Women students in premier institutes had a different story to tell. “The social media are full of election updates, and we know who is what. We will like to have a government, which would ensure security to women and better job opportunities for the youth. I am extremely interested to vote, but I do not have a voter identity card,” said S. Tulasi of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
While many students in the voting age are yet to have their voter cards, those who have it are reluctant to travel back to their hometowns just for the sake of voting.
“I don’t want to travel all the way to my city just to opt for NOTA,” said Shubra Priyadashani, another student.
