What urban voters want?

SHILLONG: During elections it is always the candidates who get the platform to speak while voters, who suffer the most owing to the inaction of authorities concerned, rarely get to shout out their problems.
The Shillong Times tried to speak to a few voters, young and old, and from different walks of life. They voiced the problems faced by respective constituencies and the state as a whole and gave various suggestions.
Angela Eingtiti, a 22-year-old housewife, raised concerns about the state’s economic growth and lack of transparency in governance.
“Economic stability is what I want the leaders should look into. Also, the constant unemployment problem our youths face. I feel setting up of industries will be helpful in solving this. I want transparency in and accountability of the new government,” said the elector from Mawlai.
Clement Mawrie, the 49-year-old voter from Pynursla, shared Eingtiti’s concerns over lack of transparency and called for better governance.
Stevenson Kharwanlang, a transmission executive, wants inner line permit to protect the “minority” Khasi group. The 24-year-old voter from East Shillong also wants better facilities in the education sector.
“There had been numerous promises of educational institutes. But we have not seen this materialise. I feel there should be reservation of seats for Khasis… medical colleges, engineering colleges and music institutes should be set up,” he said. Better roads in rural areas, setting up secondary schools, distribution of computers among poor students are some of the other things on Kharwanlang’s wish list.
A concerned citizen, who refused to reveal her name, said water supply, roads and healthcare in both urban and rural areas and job creation are some of the areas that the new government should focus on.
Also, “elected candidates should work for the people so that Meghalaya progresses”, she added.
A retired government servant said on condition of anonymity that candidates should talk about problems in their respective constituencies and in the state on the floor of the Assembly. He also stressed the need for improving agriculture to solve unemployment.