Youths call for IDs blitz
Providence Moyo
As the country is heading towards the harmonised elections, youths in Bulawayo are calling for an intensive Identity Documents (ID) acquiring blitz so that those who are willing to participate in the 2023 general elections are capacitated to do so.
Youths who spoke to Community Podium said in order to curb voter apathy amongst youths, it would be beneficial to give youths access to documentation. To register as a voter in Zimbabwe, the ID is a prerequisite
One youth, Silethemba Ncube castigated the slow and painstaking current process of acquiring an ID.
“Waking up early in the morning to go and queue for booking a date makes youths think twice about acquiring the document ngoba uyazibuza ukuthi ngivuke ekuseni ngiyelayina inani likwane bengakafiki kimi kutsho kusasa kumele ngibuye njalo ngizozama ngingangena kunani elifunekayo sengizaphinda ngiphiwe elinye njalo ilanga lokubuya ngizothatha isithupha,” he said.
Another youth Brian Ncube said the ID issuing blitz must be done simultaneously with the voter registration blitz so that the two compliment each.
National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) information officer Donald Muchemei said lack of documentation is a serious impedment in youths participation in electoral processes.
“The issuing of IDs or documentation necessary for registration needs to be intensified. This will help increase participation among the youth, it is important to provide the youths with IDs so that they are left with no reason for not registering to vote,” he said.
Currently, one has to be booked for ID collection and bookings are done once a week on Wednesdays and those who turn up without a booking are turned away. This reporter witnessed a few individuals being turned away and told to come back on Wednesday for booking at Tradegold Building.
