Twenty-year-old Kelevi Nakaunimara was among the first-time voters at his village in Nasukamai, Nalawa, Ra, where the pre-polling began on Monday.
He said he hoped that his vote would bring about change.
“I think it’s important to vote because as a young person this will determine my future,” he said.
“I have a yaqona farm and right now I am barely making any money from it.
“If I sell 20kg or 30kg grog, at Rakiraki, I won’t be able to bring back enough food for my family.
“I wanted to vote today because I want a government that will help me put food on the table.”
Younger brother Waisale Lusi, 19, also cast his vote for the first time yesterday.
“I think it’s important to vote because it is our right,” he said.
“I help my brother with our yaqona farm and I see how high the cost of everything is - even transport.
“When we want to go to Rakiraki from the village we have to pay $30 one way.
“That is too much for our people.”
The pair joined close to 232 people who were expected to vote at the Nasukamai pre-polling station on Monday.
