Back to Index

Let us educate young voters and support youth candidates in forthcoming election
Andrew Makuvaza
October 01, 2011

Young people constitute a major force within the framework of socio- economic and political life of the Zimbabwean society. Despite being the most populous group, making up close to 60% of the total population, youth participation in voter education and elections is relatively low, with little input or influence in decision-making processes that affect them.

Voter and civic education is especially important in Zimbabwe particularly at this time of our history when young people are getting more and more involved in the development of our country and as we also approach elections in 2012 that are set to be decisive for young Zimbabweans, ZANU PF and the opposition.

The likely political volatile situation, current legal and procedural changes taking place in the country and the forthcoming elections may have an unprecedented impact on the country-s future. It is imperative that civic society, the opposition and donors support programmes that make information related to elections available and accessible to all youth constituents. New voters have a serious bearing and influence on the outcome of elections and support should be given to youth organizations to help increase new voters participation through district fora, radio and the web. It is important to carry out public policy and outreach programmes that encourage young people to ask questions of election candidates and promote citizenship and understanding of their rights and responsibilities as youth.

Educating new voters should be designed to prepare a critical mass of Zimbabwean youths who can become visible in the campaign for credible elections in Zimbabwe in 2012. This will also help develop youth capacity for non-violent participation and democratic citizenship by inspiring in young people a vision of leadership founded on the promotion of open society through observance of human rights.

Such initiatives will help expose youth particularly in rural areas to domestic election monitoring techniques, and will encourage discussions and debate about best practices in observing the electoral processes, political party primaries, voter registration and mandate protection. This also helps young people to get an oversight to the concept of mandate protection, and should assist us to develop strategies for working with civil society organizations and public institutions charged with the responsibility of protecting electoral mandates.

Several challenges and misconceptions exist, which hinder young people from meaningfully participating in decision-making processes including elections. Young people are often invited as token representatives without any significant decision-making power. For example, they are invited into decision-making arenas after most of the key decisions are already made or they are not afforded equitable opportunities to contribute to decision-making processes. In many cases, young people have no decision-making authority at all and are expected to participate merely as observers. Also, in instances when young people are invited to participate in decision-making processes, they are often not offered the sufficient support, training and/or tools necessary for effective participation. Thus, even attitudes of well-intentioned adults may undermine meaningful youth participation. We are being used as political fodder and as tools for perpetrating violence. This time taramba. Let-s register to vote in the 2012 elections so that our voices are heard and we contribute to this transition.

Vote for a youth in the party primaries and elections for MP and Councillors in your area.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP