Youth tend to be disengaged from
formal political processes. They are also under-represented in election
management roles. EMBs have a critical role to play in promoting youth
participation in electoral management.
Including young people in various
roles in the election management, on electoral management bodies’ advisory
boards, as voting station workers, and as election observers, would improve the
EMB’s knowledge about the needs of young voters as well give the young people
involved a way of participating effectively in the political process. This is
good all around – for youth, for EMBs, and for the wider society.
Apart from enhancing the role of
youth within its organization, an EMB also needs to assume a youth-empowerment
perspective on all the electoral processes it manages throughout the electoral
cycle. This involves supporting youth-focused and youth-led organizations and
partnering with CSOs and other electoral stakeholders that empower youth.
Adopting models of meaningful youth engagement will assist them in developing
relationships that are long-lasting and sustainable for all parties. This is
critical when finances are scarce.
The involvement of young people in
various EMBs structures and processes requires will, money, and may require a
shift in the mind-set of senior staff. This may be especially challenging in
hierarchical organizations where leadership positions are based more on
seniority than merit.
