ASSESSMENT OF YOUTH INCLUSION IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE IN SOME SELECTED COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES:

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

1. Australia:
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS: 18
The youngest ever member of the House of Representatives was 20 year old Wyatt Roy elected in the 2010 federal election after the Electoral Act 1918 was amended to reduce the age of candidacy for that office from 21 to 18.
SCORE: Good

2. Canada:
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS: 18
In Canada, any person 18 years of age or older may stand for election to public office. However, to be appointed to the Senate, one must be at least 30 years of age, must possess land worth at least $4,000 in the province for which he or she is appointed, and must own real and personal property worth at least $4,000, above his or her debts and liabilities. These restrictions were most recently enforced in 1997.
SCORE: Good

3. Cyprus:
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS: 25
In Cyprus the minimum age to be elected president is 35 years.
SCORE: Fair

4. Nigeria
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS:30
In Nigeria, a person must be at least 40 years of age to be elected President or Vice President, 35 to be a Senator or State Governor, and 30 to be a Representative in parliament.
SCORE: Poor

4. South Africa
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS:18
Section 47, Clause 1 of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa states that "Every citizen who is qualified to vote for the National Assembly is eligible to be a member of the Assembly", defaulting to Section 46 which "provides for a minimum voting age of 18 years" in National Assembly elections; Sections 106 and 105 provide the same for provincial legislatures.
SCORE: Good

5. United Kingdom
MINIMAL AGE FOR ELECTED POSITIONS: 18
In the UK (other than in Northern Ireland) a person must be aged 18 or over to stand in elections to all parliaments, assemblies, and councils at the European, UK, devolved, or local level. This age requirement also applies in elections to any individual elective public office; the main example is that of an elected mayor, whether of London or a local authority. There are no higher age requirements for particular positions in public office. Candidates are required to be aged 18 on both the day of nomination and the day of the poll. This was reduced from 21 by the Electoral Administration Act 2006. SCORE: GOOD

Commonwealth Youth Council calls for common minimum age (18 years) for standing elections in all Commonwealth Nations. If at 18, a person can vote, why cant she/he be voted for?

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Commonwealth Youth Council Chairperson, Ahmed Adamu Arrives Nigeria Yo...

Meeting between the FMYD Perm Sec, Dr Henry Akpan and the CYC Chairpers...

Hon. Ahmed Adamu, Chairperson CYC, at the official launching of the YCAEV

Link to Pictures from Nigerian Visit

https://www.facebook.com/ahmed.adamu.188/media_set?set=a.10201919325199851.1073741835.1085842609&type=1

Commonwealth Youth Council Launches Campaign to end election violence

The Commonwealth Youth Council launched an international campaign to reduce incidents of violence perpetrated by young people at elections.

The Youth Campaign Against Election Violence began with an inaugural conference in Abuja, Nigeria between 30 and 31 January. The campaign involves encouraging youth volunteers across the country to develop awareness-raising activities, including street rallies, social and cultural events, workshops and media appearances, to persuade young people to shun violence at election time.

The launch came as preparations gear up for the next Nigerian general elections in 2015. During the last general elections in 2011, more than 800 people died as a result of violence sparked by political, ethnic and religious divisions.

Ahmed Adamu, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), hosting the event, said: “Too many young lives have been lost before, during and after general elections in Nigeria – yet this is not a problem unique to this country. This CYC youth-led campaign aims to sensitise young people on the need to be tolerant and embrace peace during elections.”

Youth representatives attending the Abuja conference will serve as election peace marshals and organise local campaigns and workshops in their home states. Following the pilot in Nigeria, the initiative is expected to be rolled out by the Commonwealth Youth Council to other Commonwealth member countries.

The conference drew attendance by youth leaders from Nigeria’s 36 states, with speakers representing Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development and the Independent National Electoral Commission, as well as civil society and youth development organisations and political parties.

There was also representation from the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which was instrumental in setting up the Commonwealth Youth Council, and which continues to provide support it.

James Odit, Africa Regional Director for the Commonwealth Youth Programme, said: “At election time, everyone deserves to have their voice heard and to exercise their democratic right to vote. But without peace, this is virtually impossible. Engaging young people as agents for peace is a very powerful approach to addressing the scourge of election violence.”

The Youth Campaign Against Election Violence is the first project to be organised by the Commonwealth Youth Council, an autonomous body representing the 1.2 billion young people from across the 53-nation Commonwealth community. The Council’s inaugural executive committee was elected in November 2013.

The Commonwealth Youth Council is a vehicle for young people to share their views and take action on global development issues. It advocates for governments around the Commonwealth to engage meaningfully with this generation.

More information can be found about the Commonwealth Youth Council on its website:
www.commonwealthyouthcouncil.org

http://commonwealthyouthcouncil.org/commonwealth-youth-council-launches-campaign-to-end-election-violence/