Chandigarh hosted four I-count camps — the Panjab University campus, Government College for Girls, Sector 11, SD College, Sector 32 and DAV College, Sector 10.

Nearly 600 people registered, online and in person, for getting their voter identification cards made. Of all the participants, girls at GCG-11 stole the show with almost a hundred coming forward to get themselves registered.

“Our main aim is make the youth aware of their rights. We want them to realise the power a single vote commands,” said Mandeep Singh, a representative of Janaagraha. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, members of the NGO advised students to “be the change you want to see in the world”. The euphoria in the colleges was palpable as first-time voters talked about various issues they would like their leaders to focus on while completing the formalities.

“Seeing the current state of our country, we all should raise our voice. Such events will definitely instil the importance of voting in students. Earlier, I was apprehensive of casting my vote. But now I am determined to contribute in the working of my nation,” said Amrita, a student of GCG-11.

“All the mayhem and corruption has turned us into cynics. But its essential that we go out and vote instead of simply cribbing about the stagnation that has crept into the system,” said Mohit, a student of SD College, Sector 32.