By Staff Reporter
A recent study on the nature of youths’ participation in electoral and political processes in Zimbabwe has revealed that youths are still lagging behind.
The study which was carried out by the Elections Resource Centre (ERC) indicated that only 22% of the youths were card-carrying members or formally registered with a political party while only 19% said they would run for public office.
ERC has recommended that political parties should promote youth engagement throughout the cycle of policy and manifesto formulation, election campaigning, participation as candidates and in the administration of elections.
“The major reason for those who indicated that they would not consider running for public office was lack of interest. However, the youth vote is growing and forms a considerable amount of the potential voting group and also current and future political party members,” read the report.
ERC recommended that youths must be engaged in political activities while ensuring there are no issues of violence.
“Political parties based on this study of youth in Bulawayo and Harare should possibly consider promoting youth engagement throughout the cycle of policy and manifesto formulation, election campaigning, participation as candidates, and in the administration of elections.
“Minimise activities that will cause mistrust through contested results or violence before, during, and after elections – both at the national level and also intra-party selection processes.
“Do more to create a sense of membership and ownership of the political process and the systems that govern them,” read the recommendations.
Meanwhile ERC also says Zimbabwe has recorded a significant rise in the number of youths who expressed a desire to vote with the hope that a different government may deliver jobs, and better quality of life while reviving the economy.
The report showed that 71% of the registered young people said they were ready to vote on August 23.
The study also revealed 94% of the registered youths are determined to not waste their registration status and are going to proceed and cast their vote.
