YOUNG and eligible voters were asked yesterday why it was important that young people cast their votes at the upcoming general and regional elections in a Vox Populi conducted by the Guyana Chronicle.

This against the backdrop that, in any country, the young people always play an integral role in society, mainly because they are the future of that country, and they will be the ones to continue the legacy of the older folks who started to build that economy.

They will have to strive to further develop that economy and to sustain what has already been inserted by the past patriots.

Therefore, contributions by the younger people of Guyana to this year’s General and Regional Elections are necessary.

Here are the views of five young Guyanese citizens:

*SAUDIA EDGHILL, a law student at the University of Guyana (UG), disclosed: “I will be voting at this year’s elections as it is our democratic right and we need to start exercising that right…

“Quite often, youths want to be included in the decision making at the different levels within our country; and for that to happen, we first need to take the stance and lead the change.”

*NARINDRA SHIVNAUTH, another young student of UG, said: “I have to vote! I don’t know if it is important for me to vote, because it’s really what the Government does for the people, as persons at 18 are now learning about life.”

*KRYSTAL SUKRA, a student of the UG, highlighted: “The youths are the future, and what we say does have an influence on the outcome of the elections. Therefore, it’s important for us to cast our votes come May 11.”

*KURT BOOKER, a youngster who is eligible to vote, underscored: “I will be voting at this year’s elections…as it is important for young people to cast their votes.

“Because it will be better, because we have a choice, and (because) we have to make our decision if we want betterment for our country, we have to go and give our votes.”

*ANWAR HUSSAIN, a young Guyanese citizen, stated: “I will be voting this year, as it is our right to vote…. We have to make the choice, we have to show what we want, we have to make this change; because if our voices are heard, that will make us go far into the future…

“The new younger generation has to play a role, because the population is expanding more, so we must have to take the stand once in a while, and this is our time.”