“I was sure I didn’t want to cast my vote for NOTA,” said Vishwaa J., an 18-year-old college student in Chennai, after exercising his franchise for the first time on Thursday. “As the elections drew near, I started following politics and compared the parties as well as the candidates in my constituency,” he said. While he was aware of the voting process, Mr. Vishwaa said he was able to shake off his nervousness only after exiting the booth.

Mirroring the feeling, a 19-year-old first-time voter, Fravio Samson, from Therespuram area in Thoothukudi, said he had been excited to cast his vote for the past six months. He travelled to his hometown from Chennai to exercise his franchise. “I was anxious while waiting in the queue, but felt relieved after casting my vote,” he said.