Moffat Mungazi
Shingirai Masara and Sithabile Ndlovu
YOUTH engagement in elections is crucial in Zimbabwe, as it is globally.
The country’s young people, who makeup over 60 percent of the population, have the potential to significantly influence the nation’s future.
However, despite their numerical strength, many young Zimbabweans are not actively participating in the electoral process.
The article will explore on marginalised groups post Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections.
Several factors contribute to this trend.
Some young people lack faith in the electoral process, doubting its credibility and legitimacy.
Others face barriers to participation, such as a lack of identity documents or limited access to information about the voting process.
Furthermore, young people in Zimbabwe often feel disconnected from the political process.
Many are not members of political parties, and they feel marginalised or excluded from decision-making positions.
This sense of disconnection can lead to feelings of disillusionment and apathy towards elections.
To address these challenges, it is essential to create opportunities for young people to engage with the electoral process.
This can involve initiatives such as voter education programmes, youth focused political party branches, and efforts to increase access to identity documents.
Ultimately, increasing youth participation in elections will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and Government.
By working together, we can create a more inclusive and participatory electoral process that reflects the diversity and energy of Zimbabwe’s young people.
The participation of Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in elections in Zimbabwe has been a significant issue, with numerous challenges hindering their full inclusion in the electoral process.
Scholars and reports highlight barriers such as inaccessible polling stations, lack of assistive devices, stigma, and discriminatory practices.
The following efforts and recommendations can be put in place to ensure the full participation of (PWDs).
Many polling stations are not accessible by wheelchairs, making it difficult for individuals with mobility impairments to vote.
This is exacerbated by the long distances to polling stations and poor infrastructure.
Furthermore, lack of assistive devices has been a hinderance to (PWDs) to fully participate in the electoral processes.
Braille ballots or tactile voting devices are often unavailable, limiting the participation of visually impaired voters.
Sign language interpreters are rarely provided for deaf voters.
Stigma and discrimination are also fundamental reasons for the marginalisation of (PWDs).
PWDs often face societal stigma, which discourages them from participating in electoral processes.
It is plausible for election officials to be enlightened on the rights and needs of PWDs for a more inclusive environment.
Legal and policy gaps are also quite imperative recommendations for an inclusive environment.
While Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution guarantees the rights of PWDs, the implementation of these provisions in the electoral processes still needs to be strengthened.
The Electoral Act still needs to be refined in order to adequately address the specific needs of PWDs.
PWDs also have limited representation.
Persons with disabilities are underrepresented in political parties and electoral bodies, which hinders their influence in shaping inclusive policies, hence, there has been significant strides in Zimbabwe in order to improve the participation of PWDs.
These are inclusive of advocacy by disability rights organisations such as National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) and Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN).
These two organisations are continuously advocating for inclusive electoral processes.
These two bodies have pushed for the adoption of universal design principles in polling stations and the provision of assistive devices.
Legal reforms are also pertinent.
The 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantees the right to participate in electoral processes.
Furthermore, the Disability Act (1992) and the National Disability Policy (2021) provide a framework for promoting the rights of PWDs which is inclusive of elections.
International support is also valid. International organisations such as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and African Union (AU) have supported initiatives to promote the inclusion of PWDs in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes.
Zimbabwe has made significant strides for the inclusion of PWDs, however, an amalgamation of recommendations is key.
Considerations can include infrastructure upgrades.
This can be achieved by ensuring that all polling stations are accessible to PWDs, including ramps, wide doorways, and accessible toilets.
A provision of assistive devices is also relevant.
This calls for the introduction of braille ballots, tactile voting devices, and sign language interpreters.
Voter education is also essential.
This can be achieved by conducting voter education campaigns for PWDs, using accessible formats such as encouraging political parties to include PWDs in their candidate lists and decision-making structures.
In a nutshell, while Zimbabwe has made significant progress in promoting the participation of youths and PWDs in elections, although significant barriers still remain.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort by Government, electoral bodies, civil society organisations and international partners.
By implementing inclusive policies and practices, Zimbabwe can ensure that youths and PWDs are able to fully exercise their right to participate in democratic processes.
The writers are students at Africa University.
Online Reporter