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"Democrats are hurting the very people they claim to serve by not investing in the younger generation of leaders."

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Allexer Namundjebo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement wants the voting age lowered from 18 to 16.  AR parliamentarian Tuhafeni Kalola on Wednesday gave notice that he would table a motion on the matter next month. Kalola said the motion is based on the fact that 16-year-olds in Namibia are already permitted by law to make several significant life decisions.  He said this includes giving legal consent to sexual activity, acquiring a national ID card, opening a bank account, making a will, and applying for a learner’s driving licence. Article 20(3) of the Namibian Constitution also allows 16-year-olds to decide whether to leave school. Currently, Article 17(2) of the Constitution sets the voting age at 18.  Kalola argued that this creates a contradiction. “If a 16-year-old can make significant life decisions, they should also have a say in the democratic process. Lowering the voting age will empower our youth and strengthen our democracy,” he said. The motion calls for a parliamentary debate and referral to the relevant standing committee for further study.  If approved, it would result in a change to Namibia’s electoral laws. This is not the first time the idea has been raised.  In 2014, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) advocated for lowering the voting age to 16 to encourage youth participation in democracy.  The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) also supported the idea, saying young people should be allowed to vote as part of benefiting practically from democracy. Landless People’s Movement (LPM) youth leader Duminga Ndala said the proposal deserves serious national discussion.  She cautioned against treating it as a political gimmick. “Lowering the voting age has the potential to empower young people to play a more active role in shaping the country’s future, especially on matters that directly affect them, such as education, employment, climate change, and digital policy,” she said. Ndala added that the reform must be backed by strong civic education within schools.  She said the success of such a change depends on whether young people feel heard and are equipped with unbiased, accessible information. “If implemented thoughtfully and supported by strong educational and institutional frameworks, lowering the voting age could strengthen democratic participation and help cultivate a generation of engaged, informed citizens,” Ndala said. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said allowing 16-year-olds to vote could build early civic responsibility. “Many 16-year-olds are already working, paying taxes, and affected by government decisions, so giving them a say makes sense,” he said. “However, it’s important to also strengthen civic education to ensure they are well-prepared to make informed choices.” IPPR director Graham Hopwood echoed the same view. “Lowering the voting age to 16 could encourage early civic engagement and help young people develop a sense of responsibility in shaping the country’s future,” Hopwood said. The motion will be officially tabled in the National Assembly on 1 July 2025.

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