Zimbabwe is an election country. Since Independence in 1980 we have had parliamentary and presidential elections every five years and local government elections in between. Since 2000 the years in between elections got even shorter – 2005 parliamentary elections, 2002- presidential elections, 2005 parliamentary elections, 29 March 2008 harmonised election and June 28 2008 Presidential run-off, not to mention the by-elections.
Statistics published by Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa shows that in the 1980 election 2,649,529 votes were cast when the population was 7.359,000 (36%). In 2005 House of Assembly elections there were 2,696,670 votes cast and in 2008 Presidential elections 2,537,240 people voted in the first round – just 20% of the population of 12,597,000. Why such a marked decrease?
First, there are too many elections, and secondly because of hate speech, violence and intimidation people are shifting away from political participation through voting. Even now when the dates of the elections are not yet announced, the public is bombarded by election advertising and media. Songs by Zanu (PF) activists are played every hour on national radio and TV stations. The print media is full of election talk. Even the walls still have 2008 election campaign posters. Coupled with the violent nature of recent elections people are now tired. WHY BOTHER to vote?
A primary factor motivating young people’s disgust with the political process is the entrenchment of state-sponsored violence.
Thirdly since 1980 Zanu (PF) has not delivered on its promises to the electorate and there has been a recycling of the same faces. People feel that voting doesn’t matter because whoever is elected, it won’t have any effect on our daily lives. A government with no input from its citizens is not going to be very popular or last very long. A lot of young people feel there’s no point in voting because they think the government doesn’t help them, but the government can’t help them if they don’t vote.
I believe that young people want to vote on issues, not in an individual popularity contest. By using referendums and allowing voters to truly decide on an issue, I strongly believe that the masses will rise to the challenge. By using referendums, we would take some of the power away from our representatives and put it back in the hands of the people.
Democracy means allowing the citizens of the nation to decide for them what is right, and what is important. In today’s society, people my age no longer feel the desire for freedom that impassioned past generations to fight and even die for this country. It is important for the people to reclaim their right to decide, their right to vote on issues that concern them.
Young people want to make a difference, and they have important contributions to make. Lack of participation by the average citizen leaves the seat of power open to occupation by an undemocratically elected gerontocracy. Action to restore public engagement in politics is essential to preserving a system of government in which the people’s concerns are addressed.
I am under 30. I’m not idealistic or naive, I just refuse to let go of my dreams.
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis