VOICES: African youth face a number of hurdles to political and voter participation. PHOTO: NYC
VOICES: African youth face a number of hurdles to political and voter participation. PHOTO: NYC

Getting African youth to the ballot box

STAFF REPORTER
The African Union (AU) has highlighted the importance of capacity building to overcome barriers to youth participation in political and electoral processes.

Despite being the majority, youth involvement in political affairs remains minimal, with few structural changes made to address the status quo.

Over 65% of Africa’s population is currently under 24 years old, making the continent's population one of the youngest in the world.

In its 'Guide to Youth Participation in Political and Electoral Processes in Africa', the continental body says the introduction of civic and political education curriculum in the formal education system could enhance youth engagement in electoral and political affairs.

“Such a curriculum is critical to ensuring that the youth appreciate what it means to be citizens and what their contribution must be in their communities and country. Citizen literacy is key to ensuring effective youth participation," the AU says in its report.

"The youth must understand electoral democracy, the rights of the citizens and the different aspects of the electoral process so that they know what is working, what is not working and what needs to be done."

Marginalised youth

A lack of quotas for youth in parliaments and political parties is one of the prohibitive factors for their participation as well as an avenue for the exploitative participation of the youth, according to the report.

“Political marginalisation has also hindered youth participation in political and electoral processes. This problem cuts across all the elements of the electoral cycle. This begins with the legal framework, which tends to exclude participation of youth through the electoral system,” the AU report noted.

In some countries, youth are apathetic because participating in electoral activities, such as voter registration and voting, requires them to travel vast distances between their homes and electoral centres.

“This is difficult, based on the general economic challenges experienced by young people. Even in cases where the youth are keen to participate in electoral processes, they are disenfranchised by the long distance between residency and polling stations and discrepancies in the voters’ roll where they do not find their names in the voter register," the report found.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-10

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