News / Education
SHOCKER as ZEC re-introduces proof of residence for voter registration
09 Jul 2017 at 03:06hrs | Views
The National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) an umbrella
association of youth organizations in Zimbabwe and the NANGO Youth
Sector Chair received with shock and reservation the decision by the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to re-introduce proof of residence
as a requirement for voter registration for 2018 elections.
NAYO said it notes with concern how ZEC arrived at such an inconsiderate decision that seriously militates against youth rights, in particular their right to vote and their general rights as enshrined in Section 20 among other provisions of the National Constitution.
"It is general knowledge that young people are at the receiving end of the economic challenges; as evidenced by the rising unemployment rate. In that regard, the majority of the youth who constitute 67 percent (%) of the total population are not owners of properties, not employed, they do not have bank accounts and most of the youth don't have a place where they call their own home. With that background, of a very troubled generation of young people in Zimbabwe, who are being patriotic and determined to participate in national processes, ZEC wakes up in the morning to re-introduce the idea of a proof of residence to be able to attain the right to vote," said NAYO.
"We therefore call for the
following action points: an immediate reversal of the idea to
re-introduce the proof of residence by ZEC- as this brings more
questions to their independence. To adopt the mechanism were people in
need of registration to only affirm to a registration officer their
physical address without providing proof of residence. We call for ZEC
to Leave No Youth Behind in electoral processes by violating youth
rights to vote through the introduction of segregatory measures on voter
registration. We call for the Electoral Act to be harmonized to the
national constitution and for ZEC to consider stakeholder consultations
before making key decisions that affect the people, especially the
vulnerable groups such as youth."
NAYO said they call all young people not to be deterred by such a pronouncement, attempt and a potential discriminatory practice by ZEC and we call for ZEC to re-look at the proof of residence requirement.
"NAYO through the Leave No Youth Behind Campaign National Coordinating Committee will do all what it can to approach ZEC, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) if need be the Courts as a way to protect the rights of young people to vote and participate freely in national processes," said NAYO.
NAYO said it notes with concern how ZEC arrived at such an inconsiderate decision that seriously militates against youth rights, in particular their right to vote and their general rights as enshrined in Section 20 among other provisions of the National Constitution.
"It is general knowledge that young people are at the receiving end of the economic challenges; as evidenced by the rising unemployment rate. In that regard, the majority of the youth who constitute 67 percent (%) of the total population are not owners of properties, not employed, they do not have bank accounts and most of the youth don't have a place where they call their own home. With that background, of a very troubled generation of young people in Zimbabwe, who are being patriotic and determined to participate in national processes, ZEC wakes up in the morning to re-introduce the idea of a proof of residence to be able to attain the right to vote," said NAYO.
NAYO said they call all young people not to be deterred by such a pronouncement, attempt and a potential discriminatory practice by ZEC and we call for ZEC to re-look at the proof of residence requirement.
"NAYO through the Leave No Youth Behind Campaign National Coordinating Committee will do all what it can to approach ZEC, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) if need be the Courts as a way to protect the rights of young people to vote and participate freely in national processes," said NAYO.
Source - Byo24News
