States and governments around the world have committed to constitutions and charters that recognize and support youth participation in electoral cycles, as well as action plans that develop knowledge and skills in young people to enable them to be active citizens and leaders. Yet youth representation remains persistently low in leadership, party membership and legislatures: 50 per cent of the global population is under 30 years, yet only 2 per cent of parliamentarians are under 30.[i] A key factor is the gap between the minimum age at which young people can vote, and the minimum age at which they can run as political candidates – often significantly higher.

While the minimum voting age is more or less aligned across countries, the age at which citizens can stand as a candidate varies widely. The average global minimum age to stand as a candidate is 22.2 years, about four years older than the almost universal minimum voting age of 18.[ii] A study conducted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 2018 concluded that in most countries citizens must wait several years after gaining the right to vote before being eligible to run for parliamentary office – usually until age 21 or 25, but in some countries as late as 35 or even 40.[iii]

Such criteria have created enormous gaps between the youth electorate and political leaders in countries with large youth populations, creating a “youth bulge.” In Zimbabwe for example, 20 per cent of the population is aged between 15 and 24,[iv] but people are not eligible to run for office until they are 21 years old for the lower house and 40 years old for the upper house.

Such age gaps between voters and political candidates can have the following consequences, among others:

• youth votes will not lead towards a higher representation of young people
• the lack of trust widens between young people and political institutions
• a perception arises and persists that participation is not going to make any difference
• elected leaders have no or only limited accountability towards the youth electorate.

Proponents of lowering the eligible age for candidacy maintain that it can lead to greater diversity and more choice for voters; equal representation rights for young people who are expected to assume adult responsibilities at voting age; fresh ideas and perspectives; and greater youth participation. Those against a lower candidacy age argue that maturity and experience are lacking in younger candidates, they may become “captives” of a political party, and they may not be equipped to withstand the pressures of the political environment.

However, many countries are recognizing age gaps as a barrier to enhanced youth participation and are reflecting on reducing age requirements to run for office. France, Austria[v], Belgium and Kenya, for example, have all lowered the required minimum age for becoming a candidate.

Elsewhere, social campaigns are increasing pressure on governments to lower the candidacy age in line with the voting age. The Not Too Young To Run campaign is a global advocacy platform through which to raise awareness on youth rights to run for elected office, and to advocate for and inspire young people to run. See Annex: Not Too Young To Run.

Example: In 2007, Turkey lowered the eligibility age for parliament from 30 to 25, following the Young MPs Now campaign, a grass-roots initiative that was run by youth organizations and youth councils. In 2017, following a constitutional referendum, Turkey again lowered the eligibility age, to 18. The 2018 elections saw the youngest ever MP candidate, an 18-year-old female high school student.

Example: In 2017, Nigerian lawmakers approved a bill lowering the age of eligibility for parliamentary representatives to 25 years. The bill, legislated in 2018, also lowers the age for the presidency from 40 to 35. The bill was the outcome of the youth-led advocacy campaign, #NotTooYoungToRun, an initiative launched in Nigeria by YIAGA, and now a global campaign to drive youth representation. In 2018 YIAGA Africa launched a new campaign, Ready to Run, to identify and support young political aspirants.