EDITORIAL: Voting at 16 - the paradox of power and responsibility

As parliament prepares to debate lowering Namibia’s voting age from 18 to 16, a curious paradox demands our attention. Some politicians argue that 16-year-olds lack the maturity to wield the power of the ballot. Yet, the very same society recognises 16 as the age of consent -legally permitting young people to engage in relationships and bear children.Consider the implications: a 16-year-old can bring new life into the world, shoulder the responsibilities of parenthood, yet remain voiceless in shaping the policies that govern their future - and that of their child. How can a society reconcile this contradiction? How can it deny a young person the right to vote while entrusting them with life-altering responsibilities?The argument against lowering the voting age often rests on assumptions of immaturity. But maturity is not a simple function of age. Many young Namibians are politically aware, socially engaged, and profoundly affected by the policies that shape their education, employment opportunities, and environment. To exclude them from the democratic process is to silence a generation whose stakes in national decisions are both immediate and enduring.Lowering the voting age is not just about politics - it is about fairness, consistency, and respect for the agency of young Namibians. If the law recognises them as responsible enough to consent to sex and assume the responsibilities of parenthood, it should recognise them as capable of participating in the democratic process.Parliament must confront this paradox. To deny 16-year-olds the vote is to say that society trusts them to make the most personal of choices, yet not the most civic. In a democracy, such contradictions are untenable.It is time for Namibia to listen to its youth, not just for the sake of consistency, but for the sake of democracy itself.

EDITORIAL: Voting at 16 - the paradox of power and responsibility

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-20

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EDITORIAL: Voting at 16 - the paradox of power and responsibility

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-20

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