Youths have raised concern on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Nomination Fees for prospective candidates with interests of joining the race in the 2023 harmonised elections saying the prices have a huge bearing on youth electoral participation.
“The amendments to the nomination fees of candidates could hinder youth participation in electoral processes due to the fact that many young people are financially incapacitated,” one youth said.
Young women said the move to raise nomination fees also limited women`s leadership prospects. She said majority of women aspiring to be leaders have limited resources to pay the new nomination fees.
A Statutory Instrument (SI) 144 of 2022 revealed that Zec’s Nomination Fees for prospective parliamentary candidates who would like to take part in next year`s 2023 elections is US$$1 000 up from US$100 while nomination fees for Women Quota candidates is now US$200.
Young women said, while ZEC has defended the prices claiming that they are a way of trimming down the number of people running as candidates so as to leave out worthy candidates, the move will likely see only a few young people and women taking part in next year`s elections.
“I understand that there is a need to avoid having more than 30 candidates running for one position, however there are other effective ways to achieve that rather than increasing the nomination fees,” one youth bemoaned.
The youth went to say that, “The people who are going to lead us must not be determined by the money they have paid to participate as candidates. The fact that someone would be willing to pay the stipulated fees does not mean they are worthy to be candidates and leaders. Actually, you will find out that many qualified and intelligent prospective candidates have limited resources to pay the steep prices.”
Young people challenged ZEC to do away with the notion that those who can afford to pay the steep prices are the ones who are worthy to run to become parliamentarians in the next year elections. They said that when money defines politics and electoral processes, the usually end product is corruption and poor leadership.
Young people challenged the electoral body to develop strategies and ways that improves youth participation. “Instead of focusing on nomination fees that seem to block youth electoral participation, there is need for ZEC to come up with creative ways of ensuring that young people especially those from rural areas are timely registered to vote.”
The youth went on to say that, “in Mat South, a limited number of young people have registered to vote which shows the urgent need for ZEC and other key stakeholders to introduce initiatives that promote youth voter registration.”
Young people said it is crucial that comprehensive voter education and campaigns are carried out by ZEC which will be key in eliminating stereotypes about the electoral body.
Over the years, the openness of ZEC has been questioned with many people claiming they have lost confidence with the electoral body which is the reason it is crucial that ZEC carries out voter sensitization initiatives so people are aware of their openness, transparency and accountability.
Ends///
Recent Comments