THE ROUND UP
PWDS IN ELECTIONS
In an interview with CITE, persons with disability (PWD) activist
Soneni Gwizi spoke at length about the participation of PWDs in
elections. Sheemphasised that political parties do not make an
effort to consult PWDs, on how their situation can be improved so
that they are included during elections. She emphasised that PWDs
are only considered by political parties when they are donating food
or other aid, however, when there are leadership or scholarship
opportunities, it is never considered. Few PWDs will participate in
the upcoming 2023 election because of the environment that is not
conducive. One of the reasons PWDs are not voting in the election
is due to the difficulties they face, which include transportation
problems, information and communication impediments, and a lack
of political awareness or opportunities. She highlighted how political
violence is a deterrent for PWD. Some PWDs are advocating for the
direct election of PWDs rather to have them rely on the few elected
by Electoral College. They argue that the voices are too few and it
becomes difficult for them to be heard about what needs to be
done for PWD in general and specifically for women and young
women with disability and young men with disability.
YOUNG PERSONS IN
ELECTIONS
The main highlight of young people’s expectations and reality in
2023 is the August 23 general election. An election provides an
opportunity for citizens to reimagine and determine how their
representation is going to look like for the next 5 years. For young
people, the expectation is an improvement in the representation of
young people in parliament owing to the quota for young people.
The quota for young people has reserved 10 seats in Parliament
coming into effect in this election. Male and female candidates
were listed by political parties since the quota for young people
uses proportional representation. The 10 seats are an improvement
from the 6 seats for young people in Parliament after the 2018
election. However, the expectation is that more young get into
parliament outside of the quota to improve representation of young
people in decision-making according to WeLead a youth leadership
and advocacy organisation committed to bring youth together to
co create a safe space.
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