Opinion / Columnist
2018 There Is Likely to Be Vote Apathy
27 Feb 2017 at 09:15hrs | Views
Voter apathy occurs when eligible voters do not vote in public elections. Outside of election time, voters may seem disillusioned with the political process or politicians in general. In a country supposedly run by elected officials, disenchanted and inactive citizens can present problems. For example, when very few people vote, the politicians elected do not represent the beliefs and values of the general population. Voter apathy has been compared with a sort of political depression, where one feels helpless and unable to influence important events.
For decades Zimbabweans have been in the political wilderness searching for a political life line but still with no solutions at hand. If you check in 2013 there was serious voter apathy mainly from the opposition support base probably because of mistrust amongst politicians and other factors as well. People can never be forced to vote, because mainly they don't benefit anything from voting and also politicians do not own people, citizens make their own choices on whether to participate in an election or not. In politics, voter apathy is perceived apathy (lack of caring) among voters in an election. Voter apathy or lack of interest is often cited as a cause of low turnout among eligible voters in jurisdictions where voting is optional and the donkey vote where voting is compulsory.
MDC and opposition enjoyed power traps
One of the main key drivers why most opposition supporters are no longer supporting in any election it is probably because of mistrust mainly from the main Mdc party. Mdc top leadership were involved in sexual scandals and episodes which destroyed their brand also corruption issues. In politics one has to protect his or her own brand and guard jealously from things that can destroy one's image. Most MDC ministers amassed a lot of wealthy within a short space of time and this had a negative impact on their political image whilst their supporters were languishing in poverty. They lost touch with reality on the ground. Their support base declined because of those issues. They started demanding hefty packages and allowances instead of addressing national matters. Most of these senior officials cannot explain their wealthy and one would wonder then what happened during the GNU and a lot of people in Zimbabwe still feel MDC AND ZANU PF are the same, and 45% of the electorate felt cheated during the GNU era.
Grass roots connectivity
Most rural electorate depend on farming and food hand-outs. Mdc and other small opposition parties are focusing much in urban areas. Statistics show that rural electorate provide 65% of the voter's turn out and urban places provide 35% of the electorate and it is very difficult for Mdc to garner 50+1 percent if they remain focused in urban places only. What the MDC should do is to seek grass roots connectivity, mobilize resources for 2018 and give hand outs, clothes and other basic needs to the rural electorate. Most rural areas they need to be taught how to vote, the importance of voting in any election. They need to be told that there is life beyond food hand outs as well. What Tsvangirai is doing is really 100% correct by going to the grass roots talking to people, hearing their grievances and addressing their issues. If opposition wins the hearts of people in rural areas chances of them getting 65% of the votes is very high.
Lack of urgency
Mostly during the voting day people will go with their normal businesses forgetting that a vote contributes significantly. People need to be taught what voting is all about, the importance of voting, how to protect their votes and why are they participating in a national election. In 2013 most MDC supporters did not participate in the election. Most MDC supporters were seen in towns doing other things. Tsvangirai had huge high turnout in rallies and the largest being 120 000 people but when results came out he lost dismally. Most of his supporters did not vote. Zanu Pf made sure that their supporters are on the voter's roll and they made sure that their supporters have enough man power and transport to go to polling stations. A lack of agency, when citizens doubt their ability to make a difference, or minorities may feel under-represented in government, disenchantment with politics and politicians, and a lack of interest in public affairs and the responsibilities of citizenship, mostly caused by a lack of civic education in the school .
Lack of confidence in the system
In Zimbabwe we have disputed elections since independence and this has caused voter apathy. We have more than 6 million people and only 2.5 million participated in 2013 elections which is a quarter of the electorate, and this is mainly because of lack of confidence in the electoral system. Rigging claims has been another contributing factor and most people would prefer doing other thing citing the issue of cheating and manipulation in the nation elections. The high levels of apathy in elections are indicative of a malaise in the political system. It is imperative that Government and all stakeholders should find lasting solutions to rejuvenate citizens' direct participation in politics. Democracy by its very nature assumes that an active electorate is a sine qua non that drives the process.
Putting a wrong candidate
MDC lost dismally mainly because of poor choice and selection criteria during their primary election. I would second the issue of adoption of candidates. This was done in Zambia and it was very successful during Lungu's time when Michael Sata passed away. Lungu is a strategist and he learnt few lessons during the 2015 by-elections and PF was very careful in their way of selecting candidates for MPs, mayoral and councils. This is what a political party should do when doing their selection process. Chamisa was responsible for selection process and he manipulated the system by fielding his own people and this did not go down well with senior officials of the party.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic society organization responsible for policy research, gender and development studies, public finance, sustainable development through Agriculture and rural development. He is also a consultant in Development and Capacity Development and Institutional Building. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com
For decades Zimbabweans have been in the political wilderness searching for a political life line but still with no solutions at hand. If you check in 2013 there was serious voter apathy mainly from the opposition support base probably because of mistrust amongst politicians and other factors as well. People can never be forced to vote, because mainly they don't benefit anything from voting and also politicians do not own people, citizens make their own choices on whether to participate in an election or not. In politics, voter apathy is perceived apathy (lack of caring) among voters in an election. Voter apathy or lack of interest is often cited as a cause of low turnout among eligible voters in jurisdictions where voting is optional and the donkey vote where voting is compulsory.
MDC and opposition enjoyed power traps
One of the main key drivers why most opposition supporters are no longer supporting in any election it is probably because of mistrust mainly from the main Mdc party. Mdc top leadership were involved in sexual scandals and episodes which destroyed their brand also corruption issues. In politics one has to protect his or her own brand and guard jealously from things that can destroy one's image. Most MDC ministers amassed a lot of wealthy within a short space of time and this had a negative impact on their political image whilst their supporters were languishing in poverty. They lost touch with reality on the ground. Their support base declined because of those issues. They started demanding hefty packages and allowances instead of addressing national matters. Most of these senior officials cannot explain their wealthy and one would wonder then what happened during the GNU and a lot of people in Zimbabwe still feel MDC AND ZANU PF are the same, and 45% of the electorate felt cheated during the GNU era.
Grass roots connectivity
Most rural electorate depend on farming and food hand-outs. Mdc and other small opposition parties are focusing much in urban areas. Statistics show that rural electorate provide 65% of the voter's turn out and urban places provide 35% of the electorate and it is very difficult for Mdc to garner 50+1 percent if they remain focused in urban places only. What the MDC should do is to seek grass roots connectivity, mobilize resources for 2018 and give hand outs, clothes and other basic needs to the rural electorate. Most rural areas they need to be taught how to vote, the importance of voting in any election. They need to be told that there is life beyond food hand outs as well. What Tsvangirai is doing is really 100% correct by going to the grass roots talking to people, hearing their grievances and addressing their issues. If opposition wins the hearts of people in rural areas chances of them getting 65% of the votes is very high.
Lack of urgency
Mostly during the voting day people will go with their normal businesses forgetting that a vote contributes significantly. People need to be taught what voting is all about, the importance of voting, how to protect their votes and why are they participating in a national election. In 2013 most MDC supporters did not participate in the election. Most MDC supporters were seen in towns doing other things. Tsvangirai had huge high turnout in rallies and the largest being 120 000 people but when results came out he lost dismally. Most of his supporters did not vote. Zanu Pf made sure that their supporters are on the voter's roll and they made sure that their supporters have enough man power and transport to go to polling stations. A lack of agency, when citizens doubt their ability to make a difference, or minorities may feel under-represented in government, disenchantment with politics and politicians, and a lack of interest in public affairs and the responsibilities of citizenship, mostly caused by a lack of civic education in the school .
Lack of confidence in the system
In Zimbabwe we have disputed elections since independence and this has caused voter apathy. We have more than 6 million people and only 2.5 million participated in 2013 elections which is a quarter of the electorate, and this is mainly because of lack of confidence in the electoral system. Rigging claims has been another contributing factor and most people would prefer doing other thing citing the issue of cheating and manipulation in the nation elections. The high levels of apathy in elections are indicative of a malaise in the political system. It is imperative that Government and all stakeholders should find lasting solutions to rejuvenate citizens' direct participation in politics. Democracy by its very nature assumes that an active electorate is a sine qua non that drives the process.
Putting a wrong candidate
MDC lost dismally mainly because of poor choice and selection criteria during their primary election. I would second the issue of adoption of candidates. This was done in Zambia and it was very successful during Lungu's time when Michael Sata passed away. Lungu is a strategist and he learnt few lessons during the 2015 by-elections and PF was very careful in their way of selecting candidates for MPs, mayoral and councils. This is what a political party should do when doing their selection process. Chamisa was responsible for selection process and he manipulated the system by fielding his own people and this did not go down well with senior officials of the party.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic society organization responsible for policy research, gender and development studies, public finance, sustainable development through Agriculture and rural development. He is also a consultant in Development and Capacity Development and Institutional Building. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com
Source - Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
