Despite young people’s ability to affect
positive change in democratic processes, they can also be involved in and
subject to election-related violence. Although the vast majority of young
people are neither violent nor interested in violence, political leaders
sometimes successfully manipulate and mobilize young people to initiate or
escalate violent actions to support their own political objectives. In many
countries with a history of electoral violence, some youth groups have
developed strong ties with political parties or armed opposition groups, while
in others it is youth wings of political parties that have been directly
involved in violent activities.[i]
Examples of long-term interdependent relationships
between political parties and armed groups can be found throughout all regions.
Political parties often give gangs money, alcohol, drugs or weapons, in
exchange for participating or causing political riots, generally disrupting the
electoral process, and/or to buy their votes.
Election-related crime delegitimizes
the processes that underpin democratic systems. To preserve the integrity of
elections and prevent the eruption of election-related violence, aggressive
efforts should be taken to disband party militia groups or violent youth wings
of political parties that support them. EMBs can play an important role in
monitoring illicit activities and ensuring that reports of possible infractions
are investigated.
Multi-party dialogues are often held
to encourage cooperation and build trust between the different political actors
in the interests of peaceful and credible elections. In May 2018, youth from
different political parties came together for a national youth collaborative
dialogue on preventing youth electoral violence and building sustainable peace
in Zimbabwe, facilitated by the Center for Conflict Management and
Transformation and VIVA in Harare.
