A Focus on the Proposed Introduction of the Youth Quota: Position Paper on the Proposed Amendment to the Zimbabwe Constitution

Appraises the youth quota in Clause 11 of the Constitutional Amendment (No. 2) Bill, which would create 10 party-list National Assembly seats for 2023-2033. Against the backdrop of youth being 67.7% of the population but negligibly represented, it concludes the quota is a noble but tokenistic gesture that should not be endorsed in its current form.

• Youth are chronically under-represented in Parliament.
• Adding only 10 of 280 seats is too insignificant to have meaningful impact.
• The quota excludes independents and other levels of governance.
• It is a temporary measure that ignores structural barriers to youth participation.
• A minimum candidacy age of 21 disenfranchises many, and the quota enlarges an already bloated Parliament.

• Do not endorse the amendment as drafted; use reserved, legal, or voluntary party quotas that need no new seats.
• Adopt a proportional representation electoral system.
• Lower the minimum candidacy age to 18.
• Apply youth quotas from grassroots to national level and cater for young persons with disabilities.
• Extend youth participation across the whole electoral cycle.