Young voters doubtful about voting

AS the country prepares for its general election on April 28, public reaction to the upcoming vote has been mixed, with citizens expressing a variety of opinions on the political landscape, candidates, and issues they want addressed.

The announcement of the election date came on March 18, one day after Stuart Young, SC, was appointed Prime Minister at President’s House, St Ann’s.

On March 19, Newsday took to the streets in the southern city to get the people’s views.

Simion Sydney, 25, of San Fernando, shared his disillusionment with the political system, saying he would not vote in the election.

"I do not think my vote will make a difference. It is the same party, same corruption," he said.

"I voted in the last general election. It was my first and last time voting. I am fed up with old heads. We need new ways of thinking, thinking outside the box."

While acknowledging Young as a new prime minister, he highlighted that Young has long been a part of the political scene.

Sydney also highlighted issues like high crime rates and the cost of living as concerns. "NTA leader Gary Griffith might be a good person to lead the country," he added.

But Saleem Mohammed, 25, from Granville, Cedros, is preparing to vote.

“I voted in the last election. I voted then because I wanted to experience it and see if my vote would make an impact. It did not, but I will vote again," he said.

"Things will always be the same if no one takes action. If leaders do not take action, then people will."

He also expressed a desire for more unity among the people. "I would like to see us come together as one for the election. The bantering by politicians on the platforms only separates us as a people," he said.

Boyo Mohammed, a 70-year-old father of four from Williamsville, expressed his approval of the election being called. A former cane farmer and now a caretaker of animals, Mohammed said he would be voting.

He added: "I would like to see less crime and less bullying. The cost of living is too high."

On Young as a new prime minister, Mohammed said: “I do not like how he moves. He is biased. God does not want that. We need straightforward leadership."

With the election falling near religious holidays like Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr, Mohammed saw it as a positive. "It is a religious time, so people would think differently. I am a Muslim. People would be in a good frame of mind."

Malik Narcis, 20, of Marabella is a first-time voter. He has not yet made up his mind about voting.

"I am thinking about it. The amount of violence and crime is too high. I would like the police to do more. There are too many corrupt officers in the service. Police should be monitored and the bad ones weeded out," he said.

Narcis expressed a lack of trust in the police, saying many other people share this view.

Elizabeth Mendoza, 56, from Embacadere, San Fernando, expressed scepticism about the political process and politicians' promises.

"I do not know who to vote for because politicians only make promises. I do not watch hair, I watch performance," she said.

Mendoza shared her past frustrations with the PNM, saying, "They promised to build a road and drain near me years ago. We voted and put them in office, and nothing was done."

She recalled how previous leaders, like Basdeo Panday and Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had made a tangible impact, especially for young people.

"Under Basdeo Panday, we got the problem solved. Kamla Persad-Bissessar had done a lot for the people, especially young people. Politicians should do the right thing," Mendoza urged.

To whoever is elected PM, Mendoza said: “I love you, and I pray for you to do the right thing. I always pray for the prime minister, for God to give him or her the understanding to run the country."