By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
A Perception Survey on Youth Political Participation in Sierra Leone conducted by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has indicated that out of the sample collected in the field; only 59% of respondents in the Western Urban said they have heard about the Proportional Representation (PR) system which will be used in the June 24 elections of Sierra Leone.
Also, 50% of respondents in the Western Rural, 43% Eastern region, 34% Southern region, 32% North-West region, and 27% in the Northern region told enumerators they have heard about the PR System.
Of the figures mentioned, only 49% are female and 33% male.
The report also indicated that 100% of respondents with Post-graduate qualifications, 74% with University qualifications, and 72% with Postsecondary qualifications accepted knowing something about the PR system.
However, it noted that only 40% of secondary school pupils, 30% of pupils who have completed Primary school, and 25% who had informal education have knowledge about the PR system.
The findings of the survey were launched by the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) at the Bank Complex in Freetown on the 16th of May 2023.
The Executive Director of IGR, Andrew Lavalie highlighted the way forward for youth participation in Electoral processes saying that their trust in the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) is high but that their participation is constrained by the low understanding of the electoral processes and mechanisms.
He also pointed out that the report spotted the negative perceptions, myths, and beliefs which he said are big barriers to constructive engagement in governance systems. The report further recommended radical steps to be taken to engage youth online and in communities on the PR system and the threshold for winning seats.
The report also indicated that food, inflation, education, and jobs are the biggest policy priorities for young people in the 2023 election. At least one-third of young people are said to be willing to make innovative contributions to community peace and stability.
In his remarks, the Governance and Relations with Civil Society European Programme Manager of the European Union (EU) to Sierra Leone, Enrico Sborgi stated that political participation is one of the two pillars of representative democracy together with political pluralism. He said it is on those two dimensions that political scientists assess how healthy and real is democracy in each country.
He added that Civic and voter education inform and stimulate political participation and therefore affirmed that the results of the survey presented are essential for the development of the voter education strategy and targeted content not only NaCCED but for all actors involved in stimulating political participation in the country.
The EU’s programme manager reiterated that the findings of the survey will support NaCCED, ECSL, and other actors to develop voter education outreach initiatives targeted at different constituencies of participants with specific messages, using innovative approaches including tailor-made messages for dissemination through community radios.
He believes that the survey will contribute to enhanced quality and effectiveness of voter education and participation as well as to building a harmonious society, where all citizens know and enjoy their rights, participate effectively in the political process, and feel they are part of a participative democratic country.
The Chairman of NaCCED, Kalilu Totangi noted that they have put together a number of activities that can help young people understand issues of electoral processes in the country. He said, if they are to make meaningful contributions to electioneering processes, they should develop key messages based on empirical data.
“This is why we decided to partner with IGR to look at the youth perspectives in the elections and how it can help in their participation,” he said.
He added that they have developed an App that will look at empirical issues that seek to minimize void votes during voting. The App, he said, is so user-friendly and can even work without the aid of an internet connection.
Totangi went on to say that since the report has indicated that only a few people have knowledge of the PR System, they have secured booklets from ECSL to help disseminate information about the System. He also said they have put all the aforementioned systems in place to ensure that political parties do not complain of rigging.
The National Council for Civic Education and Democracy is mandated to deepen democracy and good governance and promote national cohesion through Civic education, public engagement, and knowledge management for sustainable national development.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (17/05/23)
