Youths urged to vote on election day

Mxolisi Ngwenya

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has urged youths who are on the voters’ role, to exercise their rights and cast their votes in the upcoming harmonised elections slated for 23 August.

ZESN is a network of non-governmental organisations formed in 2000 to co-ordinate activities related to the promotion of democratic processes, particularly free and fair elections.

According to the 2023 Census statistics, young people in Zimbabwe constitutes 67.7 percent (%) of the total population.

Their effective participation in electoral and governance processes remains a cornerstone to achieve sustainable inclusivity and enhanced civic engagement in politics.

Youths are the key change agents in a country, and the potential of young people’s contributions to sustainable human development must not be ignored.

However, their voice can only be heard if they cast their votes and dedicate themselves to be part of the electoral process. Unfortunately, a few of them are registered to vote.

“Whilst the youth are an important demographic group in the country constituting 67.7% of the total population, their participation and representation in key governance processes remains low due to lower voter registration and low turnout during polling.

“ZESN thus, implores youths to exercise their constitutional rights through taking part in continuous voter registration as well as in participating in various electoral processes peacefully.

“Critical is the importance of opening up these spaces to younger people to take part in electoral processes as candidates, observers and election workers among other roles key to the democratic processes of Zimbabwe,” said ZESN.

Lately, the space for youth participation on election participation continues to shrink by the day. This is because youths fear intimidation, political violence and finding themselves in the middle of this mayhem.

A week ago, a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member identified as Tinashe Chistunge died following an attack by a group of suspected Zanu PF activists in Harare.

According to CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, a group of ‘thugs’ ambushed their youth members, who were heading to a rally in Harare’s Glen View high density suburb.

“We strongly condemn the violent attack by suspected Zanu PF thugs on our members in Glen View 7,” Mahere said after the incident, which might convince more youths not to be part of political affairs.

For this year’s elections, Political parties seem to have given young people a chance to be candidates considering how parties especially CCC fielded youthful candidates to represent people in their respective communities.

Youthful Pashor Sibanda, a CCC candidate contesting under Cowdray Park Constituency for member of parliament against Zanu PF’s Mthuli Ncube, said he wished youth can understand their electoral importance and encouraged them to go and vote on elections day as their vote is their future.

 “Youths participation in parliament will increase if youths understand their responsibilities to their respective areas. They need to know that by not physically voting they have indirectly voted for the status quo which does not advance the youth agenda, so we need to go out in numbers and support each other on the day so that we achieve increased representation in Parliament and councils,” he said.

The youth make up a significant portion of the population in Zimbabwe, and by participating in elections, they can ensure that their voices, concerns, and aspirations are represented in the decision-making process.

By participating in elections, youth have the opportunity to shape the direction of Zimbabwe’s development and contribute to the decision-making process that will impact their lives and the lives of future generations.

Youth participation in elections allows them to influence policy priorities and as such, by voting for candidates who prioritize issues that are important to them, such as education, employment, healthcare, and social welfare, the youth can help shape the agenda of the government.

When the youth participate in elections, they hold elected officials accountable for their actions and by voting and actively engaging in the democratic process, the youth can demand transparency, good governance, and accountability from their leaders.

By mobilizing and organizing themselves, young people can advocate for issues that are important to them, challenge the status quo, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Overall, youth participation in elections is essential for promoting a vibrant and inclusive democracy in Zimbabwe.

It allows the youth to have a say in the decision-making process, shape the future of the country, and hold elected officials accountable.