Election-related violence has significantly hindered the meaningful engagement of young people in electoral processes. Elections are one of the main pillars of democracy. However, elections can trigger violence when fundamental human rights such as the rights of association and expression are violated and when certain segments of society are unable to engage with from political processes. Countries emerging from internal conflicts such as civil war have an especially high potential for conflict during electoral processes.[i] The use of media including social media to intimidate and harass is an increasing form of election-related violence. See Social Media. 

In countries with a history of electoral violence, young people are often involved as perpetrators or victims of the violence. That is because they are often used as foot soldiers by politicians and armed groups that want to disrupt polling. As long as youth are vulnerable for political and military exploitation they will be hindered from fully participating in electoral processes. 

Women are affected in different ways than men by electoral violence. Voter turnout among women is much lower than among men, particularly in post- conflict countries where there is a high threat of gender-based violence and in countries with high risks of intimidation of women in public life. 

Preventing the eruption of election-related violence to preserve the integrity of elections and democratic systems is thus fundamental to a country’s long-term peace and stability. This objective is also acknowledged in Agenda 2030’s Sustainable Development Goal 16.1, which focuses on reducing all forms of violence to achieve “peace, justice and strong institutions.” Reducing the risk of election-related violence is a complex proceeding that requires “[building] general trust among key players, including media, security services, political parties, civil society, and others in crisis prevention programmes.”[ii] Therefore, EMBs, in conjunction with other electoral stakeholders, should take action to reduce the risks of electoral violence and enhance peoples’ sense of security and freedom in exercising their right to vote. 

In taking this action, EMBs and other electoral stakeholders should follow an approach that acknowledges the importance of youth empowerment, participation and inclusion. Such an approach is more likely to address young people’s underlying experiences of marginalization than one which perpetuates negative stereotypes of the youth population as a whole.

See IPU (2015) Youth Participation in Parliaments and Peace and Security (ACE Electoral Materials)^[iii]

See IDS (2018) Youth Engagement in the Realm of Local Governance: Opportunities for Peace?^[iv] (ACE Electoral Materials)^[v]

See Youth initiatives: Supporting citizen engagement with government and civic life^[vi] (ACE Electoral Materials)