Democracy: Youth Voter Apathy Worrying

There is concern over the declining number of registered voters who actually cast their votes, particularly among Namibia’s youth who seem to be disengaging from the political process.

Statistics from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) show that in 2019 there were 1 358 468 registered voters: 717 809 women and 640 659 men.

Among these voters, 403 106 were born after independence, while 8 623 were born in the year 2000 or later.

These numbers indicate a significant portion of the electorate is relatively young, with expectations of driving political change.

However, voter turnout has not matched the high registration figures.

In the 2019 elections, only 826 198 voters cast their ballots, representing just over 60% of registered voters.

The breakdown of age groups among registered voters further highlights this trend.

In 2014, there were 564 706 registered voters from Generation Y (born 1982 to the present). By 2019, this number had increased to 700 648.

‘UNINSPIRING CANDIDATES’

Despite the increase in registration among younger voters, their turnout has been disappointingly low.

For instance, while Generation Y accounted for more than half of the registered voters, the number who actually voted was significantly less than expected.

Several factors could explain this disinterest.

Political analysts suggest that many young Namibians feel disconnected from the political process as they feel their votes do not bring about tangible changes.

A perceived lack of accountability and transparency in political institutions also exacerbates this sentiment.

In addition, the absence of appealing and relatable candidates for the youth demographic contributes to the low turnout.

Economic challenges also play a role. High unemployment and limited economic opportunities may lead young voters to prioritise immediate survival over political engagement.

Given their daily struggles, voting can seem less urgent or impactful.

Moreover, the methods of political campaigning may not resonate with younger voters.

Traditional campaign strategies often fail to effectively engage a generation that consumes information through digital platforms.

Social media is a powerful tool but has not been fully used by political parties to mobilise and inspire young voters.

LACK OF CIVIC EDUCATION

Another contributing factor is a lack of comprehensive civic education.

Many young people don’t fully understand the importance of their vote or how the political system affects their daily lives.
This gap in knowledge can result in apathy and a sense that their participation does not matter.

Disillusionment with the political system can be traced to historical grievances and unfulfilled promises.

Many young Namibians have grown up hearing political leaders make pledges which they fail to deliver on. This can lead to cynicism about the effectiveness of their vote.

Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach.

Political parties need to expand their engagement strategies, focusing on issues that matter to young people and to effectively use platforms that reach them.

Importantly, transparency and accountability in governance must be prioritised to rebuild trust.

Also, providing civic education that emphasises the importance of voting and its effect on our lives can empower and motivate the youth to participate in elections.

Targeted efforts are needed to address the underlying causes of youth apathy and to boost political engagement. It cannot be left to chance.

EXPECTATIONS

As we approach the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November, it is crucial for all stakeholders to address these issues.

Critics argue that if political parties fail to effectively engage the youth, the low turnout trend is likely to continue.

There are high expectations of a shift in strategy, focusing on transparency, relatable candidates and the effective use of digital platforms to reignite the political interest of young Namibians.

One of the tests of the upcoming elections will be whether these efforts can translate into a higher youth voter turnout and a more robust democratic process.

• *Gideon Kapuka is a researcher, writer, and business consultant; gideonkapuka5@gmail.com