Youths urged to register to vote

Voter registration drive programmes should target young people as they constitute the majority of the Zimbabwean population, civic activists in Bulawayo have suggested.

The sentiments were echoed after the realization that youths are not actively taking part in national processes, especially elections. Speaking at a youth policy dialogue meeting convened by the National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) at Mahlathini Primary school in Cowdry Park, Percy Mcijo urged young people to take the initiative of registering to vote.

"It is very important for young people to register to vote because the number of constituencies in an area are determined by the number of registered voters in that area. That is why you will find that Cowdry Park is the biggest suburb in Bulawayo but it is not even a constituency on its own. It's because young people in Cowdry Park, who constitute the majority of residents here are not registered," he said. Mcijo added that this also affects the development of Cowdry Park as allocation of resources is also determined by the number of constituencies in the area.

Despite the laudable envisaged changes in the Electoral amendment bill that were outlined to the youth by Mziwandile Ndlovu, the youths still had concerns with the electoral process. They expressed fear of participating in elections because of the violence that is usually associated with Zimbabwean elections and indicated that they did not trust the sincerity of the political parties in shunning violence towards elections.

Addressing the same meeting ward 26 Councilor, Collet Ndlovu challenged the youths to be proactive in their work. "Young people are usually reluctant to attend meetings so how can you expect to be heard or even to take up leadership positions if you do not want to meet and interact with other people?" he asked the youths.

NYDT is one of the youth organisations that have taken the initiative to engage on a youth voter mobilization drive. It is holding meetings throughout Matabeleland on the importance of youth participation in community development, giving particular attention to their participation in elections. The programme is targeting first time voters, most of whom lack information on how to go about the registration process.

The organisation is assisting these first time voters with information on where to register, the requirements as well as affidavit forms for proof of residence. Some youths that have been denied registration because they have been declared aliens by the registrar's office are also getting assistance. The programme is being done to also encourage the critical and active participation of youths in national processes.