Voter and civic education is especially important in post-conflict countries, where political situations may be volatile, substantial legal and procedural changes have taken place, and elections may have an unprecedented impact on the country’s future.

The Embassy of Finland in Kathmandu funded a Nepali NGO (Alliance for Peace) to create awareness about the country’s 2008 constituent assembly elections. Young people were less involved in party politics and were not recognised as belonging to any particular party. Thus, young people’s involvement in voter awareness helped the campaign to maintain a neutral position. Educating young people had a ripple effect as they communicated within their families, peer and friend groups. The initiative ran for one year from April 2007 to March 2008.

Problems addressed:

• The constitution assembly of 2008 was held nine years after the general election of 1999. This gap meant that there were a large number of first-time young voters. Youth voter turnout was seen as important for the legitimacy of the democratic process.
• Young people who are unaware of their rights are more easily manipulated by political leaders.

Objectives

• To make information related to elections available and accessible to all youth constituents;
• To increase participation through district fora, radio and the web;
• To encourage young people to ask questions of election candidates through outreach campaigns;
• To promote citizenship and understanding of rights and responsibilities.

Youth as partners

Young people organised district and national fora (600 participants) and distributed voting information – including in formats suitable for non-literate young people.

Youth as beneficiaries

Twelve thousand young people in 30 districts were directly reached by a campaign bus over 60 days. Radio announcements in 12 local languages reached the whole of Nepal through 20 local and two national stations.

Process:

• A team of six campaigners (18 to 35 years) with previous community experience were selected and trained on electoral systems, voting skills and campaigning techniques.
• Posters, flyers, youth-friendly booklets, website and radio announcements developed;
• Campaign bus targeted colleges, youth clubs, barracks and other hubs of youth activity;
• Most of the limited resources for outreach, particularly mass communication, were concentrated in the final month when most attention would be paid to it.
• Four regional youth fora were conducted covering basic concepts of elections and voting models.
• A national seminar in the capital was attended by over 100 young participants selected by colleges, student unions, political parties and local authorities.
• The campaign ensured that its activities were aligned with the election laws.
• Project team included a project officer, finance officer, logistical officer and office assistant.

Results

• The campaign was able to reach a large number of youth of rural Nepal within a very short time;
• Request for training from the armed police force in three districts;
• Approximately 20,000 young people were informed about the constitution assembly elections.

“Not too many organisations or the government is coming to rural and difficult places to visit and explain to us about the new voting system. Thank you.” Khadka Dangi, participant

Lessons learned

• The web was a good means to reach educated and urban youth, while radio was effective for rural youth.
• Young campaigners were proactive and flexible, able to work in a campaign which required a lot of travel in uncertain conditions.

“It was very empowering as a young woman, to go out to the districts and campaign with the people on issues of voter education. It not only enhanced my learning and confidence, it also helped me to see my own country through different eyes.” Jhala BK, campaigner

Potential challenges

• Changes in election schedules (occurred twice in this case).
• Language and cultural barriers continue to be a factor in effective delivery of messages in a multilingual country like Nepal.
• Young campaigners were not always trusted or taken seriously.

For more information please contact:

Alliance for Peace (AfP) Nepal, info@afpnepal.org or see www.afpnepal.org/