Gen Z to Shape 2026 Polls



CLRI warns parties that token youth inclusion will not sway young voters

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia – January 12, 2026 — Generation Z voters will play a decisive role in determining the outcome of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections, Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) Executive Director Mundia Paul Hakoola has warned, saying political parties risk losing youth support if they fail to move beyond token inclusion of young people and women despite the enactment of Bill 7.

Hakoola said the enactment of Bill 7 is an important entry point toward inclusion but remains insufficient to guarantee meaningful participation of youths and women in governance and national decision-making processes.

He said CLRI’s analysis shows that voters aged between 18 and 29 will form a significant portion of the electorate in 2026, giving Generation Z the capacity to influence electoral outcomes.

Hakoola said the strong presence of young voters on digital platforms has increased their ability to shape political discourse, mobilise voters, and influence public opinion.

He said young voters are increasingly issue-based, prioritising employment opportunities, the cost of living, education quality, governance reforms, and social justice over traditional party loyalty.

Hakoola said political slogans, recycled promises, and symbolic gestures will not resonate with young voters, who are focused on accountability and tangible policy delivery.
He further said the inclusion of young women and marginalised groups remains a key concern for the youth electorate.

Hakoola warned political parties that token appointments and campaign-time rhetoric will not be enough to secure youth support in the 2026 elections.

He called on political parties to expand youth and women’s representation in leadership structures, adopt clear and measurable policies aligned with youth priorities, and engage young people consistently beyond election periods.

Hakoola said excluding youths and women from real decision-making power is unsustainable and undermines democratic development.

© 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Brother, A Leader, A Lesson

Image
 Bishop Mwamba’s Tribute to Lungu Lusaka, Zambia24, Thursday, June 5, 2025 – United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Bishop Trevor Mwamba has paid tribute to the late Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, describing him as a man of the people, a personal friend, and a national figure whose life and leadership offer Zambia both memory and lesson. In a statement delivered Thursday, Bishop Mwamba extended condolences to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the entire nation, while encouraging citizens to reflect not only on the man Lungu was, but on the legacy he leaves behind. “I, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, extend my sincere sympathies to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the Zambian people on the passing of His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” he said.  “As President of UNIP, I also convey our party’s deep condolences at this moment of national loss.” Recalling Lungu as his former classmate, Mwamba spoke warmly of the former president’s personal qualities—h...
Read more

Bishops Decry DEC Summons

Image
ZCCB Warns Against Using State Institutions to Silence Church Leaders By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (3-01-2026) - The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned in the strongest terms the Drug Enforcement Commission’s (DEC) summons of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, describing it as a brazen attempt to intimidate the Church and silence its voice on governance. ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said in a statement that the Bishops stand in unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Banda, who is scheduled to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the DEC on 5 January 2026.  The summons, delivered on 31 December 2025, comes amid a wave of public attacks and derogatory remarks against the Archbishop. The Bishops labelled the DEC action as unmistakably state-sponsored harassment, designed to punish Archbishop Banda for speaking truth to power and holding the government accountable.  Bishop Chama warned that weaponizing state institut...
Read more

Breaking Silence, Saving Lives

Image
Journalists Join Safe Motherhood Fight and are challenging taboos to protect women’s health. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 — (20-05-2025) - The Ministry of Health convened a critical media orientation in Lusaka to commemorate Safe Motherhood Week and the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, emphasizing renewed efforts to improve maternal health outcomes across Zambia. The event brought together media professionals, health experts, and key stakeholders to amplify messages on safe maternal health services and the urgent need to end obstetric fistula. In his keynote address, Dr. Aspha S. Choonga stressed the pivotal role of the media in advocating for women’s rights to safe, dignified, and respectful maternal health care. “Your presence here today is not just appreciated—it is vital,” Dr. Choonga said, urging media practitioners to break taboos and inform the public on these critical issues. He outlined the four pillars of Safe Motherhood: family planning, antenatal care, c...
Read more