Parliamentarians oppose lowering voting age to 16
Teens unprepared, not mature enough
A motion to consider lowering Namibia's voting age has been met with mostly negative responses, with lawmakers arguing that 16-year-olds are not yet ready to make such important democratic decisions.
Deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs Charles Mubita has opposed Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament Tuhafeni Kalola’s motion to lower Namibia's voting age to 16, arguing that teenagers lack sufficient political knowledge and understanding.
Kalola said Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution allows 16-year-olds to decide whether to leave school, yet they are not permitted to vote.
He added that a study on the voting capabilities of 16-year-olds found they possess similar abilities to those aged 18 and proposed that parliament debate the issue.
Speaking in parliament last week, Mubita said he was surprised that MPs had a bill of this nature before the National Assembly.
“I am surprised because I am persuaded to believe that this House is composed not only of leaders but also of politicians. And politicians, by definition, are people who should have passed through the doors of a political school. If they had, they would understand that in politics, or political science, there is a subject that deals with neuroscience,” he said.
“Neuroscience suggests that the brain of every individual, particularly the prefrontal cortex, continues to undergo major development at the age of 16. At that age, it is therefore imperative that we allow 16-year-olds to grow and mature."
He said research conducted across several European, Asian and American countries showed that, while some nations had allowed 16-year-olds to vote, it later became clear that their decisions were often unsustainable and not based on responsible reasoning.
“Sixteen-year-olds are simply not mature enough to participate responsibly in making serious national decisions,” Mubita argued.
“They are neither neurologically nor physiologically developed enough to act as responsible citizens capable of deciding on matters of national importance," he added.
He also advised that those in favour of the idea should rather promote political education to ensure 16-year-olds "become responsible citizens".
Protect the youth
Also opposing the motion, Swapo lawmaker Tuulikki Abraham drew parliamentarians’ attention to Article 15, Sub-article (2) of the Namibian Constitution.
“Children are entitled to be protected from economic exploitation and shall not be employed in or required to perform work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with their education or to be harmful to their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development," he quoted.
He said lowering the voting age would interfere with the natural process of childhood development.
“It risks robbing our children of their formative experiences and placing adult responsibilities upon young shoulders that are not yet ready to bear them.”
Deputy agriculture minister Ruthy Masake also opposed the motion, saying she believes voting is a serious civic duty that requires a certain level of maturity, life experience and socio-economic awareness, qualities more developed at 18 years than 16.
“At 16, many young people are still in school, financially dependent and navigating the early stages of personal development. While they are undoubtedly intelligent and full of potential, we must ask ourselves: do they possess the life experience, political awareness and sense of social responsibility that voting demands?”
Democratic processes
She said lawmakers should also consider the impact such a move could have on the integrity and stability of democracy.
“Voting is not merely about expressing an opinion, it is about making informed decisions that shape the future of our nation. Reducing the voting age risks politicising a group that is largely unprepared and not yet mature enough to make such decisions responsibly.”
Masake added that in an age dominated by social media and misinformation, society must reflect on the responsibility and certainty that come with being 18.
“Young people under 18 are not yet permitted to enter into binding contracts, marry without parental consent, or be held fully accountable under the law in many respects. Yet we are now considering granting them the full responsibility of choosing national leaders,” she said.
Meanwhile, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hopwood previously shared his thoughts on the matter, saying lowering the voting age would ensure that the youth are better equipped to take up leadership positions.
“If the median age in Namibia is 21, this will place a huge leadership burden on young people in the future. The sooner we get young people playing active and positive roles in our democracy, the better equipped they will be to take up leadership positions,” Hopwood said.
Brazil, Argentina and Austria are among the countries that allow youth to vote at 16.
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Kalola said Article 20 of the Namibian Constitution allows 16-year-olds to decide whether to leave school, yet they are not permitted to vote.
He added that a study on the voting capabilities of 16-year-olds found they possess similar abilities to those aged 18 and proposed that parliament debate the issue.
Speaking in parliament last week, Mubita said he was surprised that MPs had a bill of this nature before the National Assembly.
“I am surprised because I am persuaded to believe that this House is composed not only of leaders but also of politicians. And politicians, by definition, are people who should have passed through the doors of a political school. If they had, they would understand that in politics, or political science, there is a subject that deals with neuroscience,” he said.
“Neuroscience suggests that the brain of every individual, particularly the prefrontal cortex, continues to undergo major development at the age of 16. At that age, it is therefore imperative that we allow 16-year-olds to grow and mature."
He said research conducted across several European, Asian and American countries showed that, while some nations had allowed 16-year-olds to vote, it later became clear that their decisions were often unsustainable and not based on responsible reasoning.
“Sixteen-year-olds are simply not mature enough to participate responsibly in making serious national decisions,” Mubita argued.
“They are neither neurologically nor physiologically developed enough to act as responsible citizens capable of deciding on matters of national importance," he added.
He also advised that those in favour of the idea should rather promote political education to ensure 16-year-olds "become responsible citizens".
Protect the youth
Also opposing the motion, Swapo lawmaker Tuulikki Abraham drew parliamentarians’ attention to Article 15, Sub-article (2) of the Namibian Constitution.
“Children are entitled to be protected from economic exploitation and shall not be employed in or required to perform work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with their education or to be harmful to their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development," he quoted.
He said lowering the voting age would interfere with the natural process of childhood development.
“It risks robbing our children of their formative experiences and placing adult responsibilities upon young shoulders that are not yet ready to bear them.”
Deputy agriculture minister Ruthy Masake also opposed the motion, saying she believes voting is a serious civic duty that requires a certain level of maturity, life experience and socio-economic awareness, qualities more developed at 18 years than 16.
“At 16, many young people are still in school, financially dependent and navigating the early stages of personal development. While they are undoubtedly intelligent and full of potential, we must ask ourselves: do they possess the life experience, political awareness and sense of social responsibility that voting demands?”
Democratic processes
She said lawmakers should also consider the impact such a move could have on the integrity and stability of democracy.
“Voting is not merely about expressing an opinion, it is about making informed decisions that shape the future of our nation. Reducing the voting age risks politicising a group that is largely unprepared and not yet mature enough to make such decisions responsibly.”
Masake added that in an age dominated by social media and misinformation, society must reflect on the responsibility and certainty that come with being 18.
“Young people under 18 are not yet permitted to enter into binding contracts, marry without parental consent, or be held fully accountable under the law in many respects. Yet we are now considering granting them the full responsibility of choosing national leaders,” she said.
Meanwhile, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hopwood previously shared his thoughts on the matter, saying lowering the voting age would ensure that the youth are better equipped to take up leadership positions.
“If the median age in Namibia is 21, this will place a huge leadership burden on young people in the future. The sooner we get young people playing active and positive roles in our democracy, the better equipped they will be to take up leadership positions,” Hopwood said.
Brazil, Argentina and Austria are among the countries that allow youth to vote at 16.
[email protected]
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