An EMB can demonstrate its commitment
to youth inclusion by adopting a youth policy or an inclusion policy that
clearly identifies youth as a key target group alongside women, people with
disabilities, and other marginalized groups. Formal policies clearly
acknowledge the value of youth engagement within the work practices, processes,
and outputs of an EMB. A youth policy may also be accompanied by an action plan
to ensure youth participation is achieved, monitored, and evaluated across each
of the priority areas. Youth policy can be championed by youth focal points,
units, and/or committees. An EMB can also create a network of youth focal
points from the various geographical offices and/or departments of the EMB,
which can increase the visibility and legitimacy of implementing a
youth-inclusion perspective. Not many EMBs have a youth focal point, but many
have an inclusion officer, and this role could also include a youth focus. If
it is not possible to have an inclusion officer because of budget or
recruitment constraints, existing EMB staff may be nominated as inclusion officers.
It is critical that any person taking on the role of youth focal point have
senior status and have enough time, training, and resources to perform their
role.
Example: The EMB in Sri Lanka has appointed
one of their Assistant Commissioners as their Youth Focal Point Officer to help
the EMB mainstream youth inclusion into all of its electoral processes.
Example: In Kenya, the Independent Electoral
and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), supported by IFES, implemented a mechanism to
improve coordination and information sharing between the IEBC and young people
during the 2017 elections. The IEBC recognized the ability of young people as
an important community resource. It also recognized the youths as people with a
range of skills, experiences, ideas, and aspirations who can positively shape
their lives and effectively contribute to the quality of communication,
engagement, and outreach services in relation to voter education and electoral
processes in Kenya. The composition of the Youth Coordinating Committee was
approximately 30 participants representing national youth networks and
organizations, regional perspectives, youth leadership, and elections. See
Annex: Kenya IEBC Youth Coordinating Committee.
