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Harmonised elections are scheduled to be held by June 29 this year.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said youths were being considered for parliamentary seats.
“For the upcoming elections there is no specific number of seats reserved for the youths but anyone who wants to contest is free to do so,” said Cde Gumbo.
He said every party cadre above 18 years had a democratic right to apply to the party for consideration in the elections when the time comes.
Cde Gumbo’s remarks come as Zanu-PF youth league national political commissar Cde Mike Gava said a lot of youths were interested in participating in the elections.
“Youths would like to contest in the primary elections and also represent the people. We are waiting for the party to announce the rules and regulations governing the holding of primary elections so that they can submit their curriculum vitaes for consideration,” he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora, said a number of youths had shown interest in taking part in this year’s polls and had since filed their applications.
Mr Mwonzora, however, said there were no specific number of seats that were reserved for the youths in the MDC-T.
MDC-T’s sitting legislators will not be subjected to primary elections, but to a controversial two-thirds majority confirmation by their respective constituencies.
This leaves little chance for youths to be considered in the polls.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said they were expecting 75 percent of their candidates to be youths aged between 26 and 35.
“The elections are, however, not necessarily dependent on one’s age but one’s capacity and potential,” he said.
The Zanu-PF Politburo will soon meet to come up with rules and regulations to govern the conduct of primary elections.
MDC-T has so far disqualified 200 aspiring candidates amid reports the party wanted to bring on-board members of its civil society partners.
Online Reporter