)
With five Assembly elections due in about two months and general elections due in 9-10 months, political parties have an important task at hand - gauging the mood of youth voters, about half the electorate.
Latest Census data revealed in 2011, half, or 378.6 million of the 762 million eligible voters, were young (18-35). However, the proportion declined slightly from that in 2001, when youth comprised 52 per cent of the population that could vote.
Experts have said youth would play a crucial role in the success of any political party. "In this era of social networking, it would not be difficult to get hold of the youth. However, the parties need to act smartly to reach this audience," said Mohammed Badrul Alam, head of the department of political science, Jamia University. "Youngsters are a motivated lot. This could well mean this population would go to voting booths in large numbers in the coming elections and be the major stakeholders."
In 2011, 51.4 per cent of the young voters were men, while 56 per cent lived in rural areas. A total of 31.27 per cent of the overall population was that of young voters; in 2001, 31.17 per cent of the total population comprised youth voters.
At least half the voters in 26 of the 35 states and Union Territories were young in 2011. Young voters in politically important states (in terms of seats) - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu - accounted for 60 per cent of the total young voters. Analysts said these states were important for all political parties.
And the fact that the major chunk of young voters were from these states would mean parties would have to come up with innovative ways to reach out to them.
In comparison, only 13.62 per cent of population eligible to vote was accounted for by the elderly (aged at least 60 years).
As the census was conducted in 2011, the actual numbers might vary when the elections are held. Also, the census data didn't clarify how many people had voter identity cards.
