ZEC closing the space for Youth

National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) has said any country's social and political terrain is defined and determined by the youth especially in the case of Zimbabwe where youths make 67.7% of the population, with 47% of these eligible to vote.

The organisation said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which is mandated by the Constitution of Zimbabwe to preside over elections made a pronouncement on the requirement for proof of residence in the voter registration process, a move that will socially exclude youths in exercising democratic right to vote.

 "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 67.7 (%) of the total population are not owners of properties, are not employed, do not hold bank accounts and do not have a place where they call their own homes (with title deeds). Given that background, such a decision will only disenfranchise patriotic and determined youth from participating in such a national process," NAYO said.

"Taking note of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Section 67, which provides for the right to vote for any citizen who is 18 and above - this key right is not provided for with limitations such as Proof of Residence. Any statutory Instrument made by ZEC that limit the freedoms as they are granted by the Constitution will be in violation of the national constitution."

NAYO said take for a example, a young person who will need money to pay for an affidavit, or a young person whose landlord is an Opposition Party member who need a Proof Letter while he support the Ruling Party, in worse scenario in rural areas, where village heads will be offering Proof of Residence; this can be used as an intimidation tactic or way to make citizens pay local taxes before a proof of residence is offered.

"As it is not enough the Chairperson of ZEC- Justice Makarau pronounced a patriarchal shocker in which she cited women can get the proof of residence in form of letter from the husband, in this urge of globalization our mother perpetuating suppression to fellow women, a good pointer to youth argument that, anything that hinders the right should be removed," said NAYO.

For the past weeks young people coordinated by National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) under a Campaign dubbed the Leave No Youth Behind 2018 petitioned ZEC on the Proof of Residence, Voter Education, Youth friendliness of ZEC, and how ZEC totally excludes youth CSOs on its consultation.

Youth expressed their eagerness to work with ZEC for an all inclusive objective, a complementality that will spear commendable results in the realm of youth participation as granted by the local laws. Youth also called for reforms as provided for in SADC guidelines on conducting elections and also alignment of the Electoral Act to the Constitution before elections are called for.

"If ZEC does not consider its position on proof or residence and the BVR (Voter Education) among other demands; history will judge all the individuals involved in making sure youth are excluded in national processes. The Proof of residence is a deterrent to young voters; hence the decision should be introspected upon. ZEC should learn from other countries and adopt the Kenyan or South African model of registering voters without demanding a proof of residence. Section 67 of the Constitution requires one to be a Zimbabwean Citizen with a National Identity Card and of 18 years or above in order to be an eligible voter," NAYO said.