Over 80 per cent of about 1.70 crore first-time voters Monday exercised their franchise amid huge enthusiasm with a high hope of real change in the country. The turnout of the new voters, both girls and boys, in every polling centre of the city was remarkable and their presence, poll observers said, would be well above 80 per cent.

According to polling officer of Motijheel Colony Club Iqbal Hossain, the turnout of young female voters at his centre was nearly 70 per cent of the total voters while their male counterparts nearly 85 per cent.

The new voters, considered as the deciding-factor in the crucial general election, were seen heading towards polling centres with much excitement since morning and their abuzz presence in queues was there till completion of the voting.

‘It’s a memorable day for me as I cast my vote for the first time in my life. I may cast vote many times in the future but it’s special to me,’ Russell, a Dhaka University student told the news agency, at Kathalbagan Khan Hasan Govt Primary School with a flashing smile.

Among the fresh voters there were also some who looked confused about choosing candidates.

‘I’m still confused whom should I vote for, as I don’t know them well and none of them is actually from our constituency,’ said Prova, a private university student standing in a long queue on T&T School compound at Moghbazar.

Prova dreams of a country where there will be no corruption and terrorism. ‘We want to see those people in parliament who have no bad reputation of corruption.’ She went on: ‘It’s corruption that has brought down the country to its knees. Our country can make rapid progress if we can rid it of the vice.’

At some places young couples wearing colourful dresses were seen going to polling centres in rickshaws and standing in queues with excitement to excise their voting rights for the first time.

Most of the young voters said they came to vote with a hope that the new government would work for eliminating corruption, terrorism and poverty from the country.

They hope that the new government would emphasise creating employment opportunities for the young people.

Ishita, a student of North South University, said: ‘I expect that the next government will learn from the January 11 changeover and work for the country’s quick progress by curbing corruption and ensuring security of the people.

Nian, a student of Asia Pacific University, suggested that the new government should concentrate on development of the educational sector as a top priority.