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The Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) has called for expanded representation of youths and women in party leadership and national decision-making structures following the enactment of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 into law.
Executive Director, Mundia Hakoola, also stressed the importance of clear, actionable, and measurable policy commitments aligned with youth priorities.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Hakoola described the enactment of Bill 7 as an important but limited step toward advancing youth participation in governance.
He said that while the Bill created openings for inclusion, far more deliberate, structured, and transformative measures were required to ensure meaningful participation of youths, young people, and women at all levels of decision-making.
“Young people are demanding practical and sustainable solutions to youth unemployment, education challenges, rising living costs, governance deficits, and social inequalities,” Hakoola stated.
He said CLRI’s recent analysis strongly indicates that the 2026 General Elections will be significantly influenced by Generation Z and the broader youth constituency.
Hakoola noted that this projection was not speculative but was grounded in clear demographic, political, and behavioural trends shaping Zambia’s electoral landscape.
“CLRI’s analysis highlights the following key factors that will shape Gen Z’s influence in 2026. Demographic weight: Generation Z (approximately ages 18–29 in 2026) constitutes a large proportion of eligible voters, including first-time and second-time voters who can decisively swing electoral outcomes,” he said.
He added that Gen Z was digitally native and highly active on social media platforms, making them powerful agenda-setters in political discourse, voter mobilisation, and narrative shaping.
Hakoola further stated that unlike traditional bloc voting patterns, Gen Z voters prioritise concrete issues—such as jobs, cost of living, education quality, governance reforms, and social justice—over party loyalty.
“Low tolerance for rhetoric: This generation is highly informed and fact-driven, with limited patience for slogans, recycled promises, and symbolic gestures unaccompanied by action,” Hakoola said.
He noted that Gen Z closely monitored the consistency between political promises and actual performance and is more willing to reward or punish political actors based on delivery.
He added that young voters place strong emphasis on including young women and marginalised groups in leadership and decision-making processes.
“In this context, CLRI emphasizes that political parties carry a serious burden of responsibility,” he said.
Hakoola stated that beyond merely listening to young people, political parties must genuinely involve youths and young women in the national journey toward transformation and inclusive development.
He warned that token appointments, symbolic inclusion, and campaign-time rhetoric will no longer suffice.
“Unlike previous generations, today’s youths are more informed, more connected, and more assertive in holding leaders accountable. As such, empty rhetoric will not be an acceptable item on the political table in 2026,” Hakoola said.
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