MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE –The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has reiterated the need for an enabling political environment to enhance youths participation as the country heads towards harmonized elections.
In a statement ahead of the National Youth Day tomorrow, ZESN says opening up spaces for the young people in electoral processes is a key ingredient in pursuant to democracy in Zimbabwe.
The electoral watch dog also urged the youths to exercise their constitutional rights by registering to vote and desist from drug and substance abuse as well as being used as conduits to perpetrate acts of violence.
“ The network, reaffirming the principle of inclusivity and participation by all especially young people as is enshrined in the constitution for all electoral processes, reiterates the importance of fostering an enabling level playing and safe environment for youths participating in electoral processes as well as political spaces.
“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. ZESN thus, implores youth to exercise their constitutional rights through taking part in continuous voter registration as well as in participating in various electoral processes peaceful,” reads the statement.
The network affirmed it’s support to the institutionalization of the youth quota in the National Assembly as a way of enhancing participation in democratic governance systems.
It says the youths have fallen victim to and perpetrators of digital technology improper usage as the platforms are used to misinform, character assassination through hate speech and derogatory comments, which in turn lead to youth voter apathy as well as disassociating themselves from taking leadership positions.
ZESN further called on the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and ZEC to consider reducing nomination fees to enable the youths to join the race.
It however, urged the government and political parties to implement the 25% threshold as outlined in the National Youth Policy, to ensure representation of young people in all public offices and leadership positions from the grassroots to the national level.
The network also laments low participation of youth in key governance processes despite constituting 67.7%t of the population.
