By 
Young people are a major subset of the electorate and their voices matter. They constitute a large part of the world’s population. Information accessibility is very crucial for Young people towards elections because it promotes peace before, during and after elections.
Young people need education and guidance concerning elections. But it is also essential to remember that “Youth” is not a homogeneous category, it includes a diverse array of people with different backgrounds, expectations and needs. Developing a communication strategy targeting youth must therefore take into account the various subcategories of citizens it is targeting.
Voting encouragement is gained through information accessibility. Information should be always available in different ways and it helps one to understand and see the value of being part of elections. Through information, the basic concepts of democracy and governance are acquired. The Young people will know the importance of one’s vote.
Information accessibility towards elections implement informed political choices to individuals. Young people will know the best candidate or party to vote for which addresses their concerns. With enough information young people will participate early and also appreciate the importance of engaging in a responsible and ethical manner.
In Zimbabwe, the Freedom of Information Bill came into law replacing the unpopular Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The new Act is meant to provide citizens and media practitioners’ access to information as is provided for by the Constitution Section 62. This new law ensures that any citizen or journalist can approach the public bodies with requests for information.
Progressive laws such as these also enable women, girls, youths, and all vulnerable groups to participate in democracy, human rights, and accountability as they can easily access information that contributes to the monitoring of usage of public resources.
While the new law is viewed as a huge step in removing the draconian AIPPA which while intended to provide access to information, had an impact on media freedoms and journalistic rights, media regulation, and protection of privacy or information; women and girls always fail to have access to such information. They often do not know how to use such developments to the advancement of their rights.
Election-related violence significantly hinders the meaningful engagement of young people in electoral processes and elections are one of the main pillars of democracy. However, elections can trigger violence when fundamental human rights such as the rights of association and expression are violated and when certain segments of society are unable to engage with from political processes.
In countries with a history of electoral violence, young people are often involved as perpetrators or victims of the violence. That is because they are often used as foot soldiers by politicians and armed groups that want to disrupt polling.
As long as youth are vulnerable to political and military exploitation they will be hindered from fully participating in electoral processes. Hence its believed that there are more temptations in politics and it is important to maintain an ethical friendly deposition when confronted with such challenges.
