1. ROLES OF VOTER EDUCATION FACILITATORS
PRESENTED BY DAVID MWANZA
CARITAS ZAMBIA

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
Will discuss who voter education facilitators are
Will look at why voter education facilitators are important
Will discuss the importance of voter education/voting
Will discuss key things that a voter education facilitator needs to highlight/know

3. Voter education facilitators
Who are they?
Should be able to get meaning from the three words, that is; VOTER, EDUCATION, FACILITATORS
It is important to carefully consider the words
Education facilitators could be on any topic. However Voter education facilitators focuss on voters and the information they need to be able to vote properly without difficulties and with understanding of what exactly he/she is doing
One can vote without knowing why he/she is voting and with really understanding the process and meaning

4. CONTINUED
A voter is a person on the voters roll, one who is eligible to vote, an elector or member of the electorate
Education (educator) refers to training, teaching, learning or tutelage among others
A facilitator is a HELPER, ORGANIZER COORDINATOR

5. continued
One would therefore not be wrong to say a voter education facilitator is an ELECTOR TRAINING HELPER
In other words is a person(s) who helps voters through some form of training, learning process or tutoring in for purposes of them being able to vote and vote rightly.
Voter education facilitators have the responsibility helping understand their role in the electoral process

6. Importance of voter education facilitators
Citizens participation in governance is the lifeblood of any democracy
And for any democracy to be upheld there is need for regular free and fair, credible and legitimate elections.
Therefore, for citizens to effectively take part in governance they need to take part in electing their leaders who will represent them at various levels
Again citizens need to understand the process, significance of electing these leaders
And for them to understand there is need for voter education facilitators

7. continued
It is true that the quality of governance is directly related to the quality and level of development in a country
It is almost universally accepted that countries with good governance records are better developed with big percentage of their citizens having better living conditions
Governance of any country can only improve with full involvement and participation of its citizens
And since governance is related to development, it is true that for a country to develop citizens need to be involved in both these processes

8. continued
The role of voter education facilitators is important because it influences the development of the country
As more and more citizens understand and participate (get involved) in the process of voting (governance), it is assumed or expected that that the quality of governance will improve thereby leading to development
As a country continues to develop it is expected that even the quality of governance will continue to improve as citizens will become more and more enlightened and will therefore be able to participate in the process.

9. Why is voter education important
Rural voters especially women, youth and various marginalized groups such as the differently abled who reside in remote places usually do not have access to voter education programmes
High levels of illiteracy is also a contributing factor to low levels of knowledge among the general citizenry on issues of election and voting-there is therefore need to continuously engage in voter education
If elections are to reflect the will and wishes of the people then voter education needs to be conducted to help citizens make informed and better choices
In Zambia the electoral act No 12 of 2006 part VI does highlight the importance of voter education

10. Why is voting important
It is a right and therefore everyone should be allowed to exercise it
It allow citizens to have a say on who governs them
It is a fundamental principle of any representative democracy
It is one way citizens take part in the governance process of the country
It helps put the good leaders in office and the bad ones out
It allows change of government without violence

11. Key things that a voter education facilitator should know
A voter education facilitator needs to know that voter education AIMS at giving people information about the voting process, who can vote, what voting is and how one should vote
He/She should understand that the aim of voter education is to get as much people as possible to vote during elections
A voter education facilitator should understand what a DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT is…
It is a government of the people, by the people and for the people

12. continued
It means people need to participate/take part in decisions that affect their lives
It also means that people elect their representatives or governments that represent their views, values, beliefs and wishes
A voter education facilitator needs to know that a democratic government represents MOST of the people and NOT ALL the people- the majority rule in a democracy
She/he needs to understand that whether right or wrong the majority’s wishes hold

13. continued She/he needs to know what an election is-
Elections are when people vote for the best individual or party that they feel will best represent their own wishes and needs
She/he needs to know and emphasize that for elections to be free, fair, credible and legitimate voters must be free to vote without fear, intimidation, violence, bribery or force
Who can vote……….in Zambia one needs to be 18years or older and have a National Registration Card and be registered as a voter
He/she should know what a BALLOT IS- a form voters are given on election day to mark their vote

14. continued
Voter education facilitators need to know how to vote- how does one vote (mark a ballot)
He/ She needs to know and emphasize the secrecy of voting
He/she needs to know the role of monitors during elections
He/she should, even in brief, understand the various electoral systems
1-single member plurality
2-single member majority
3-proportional representation
4-mixed member proportional system

15. Continued He/she needs to know the rights of voters
The role of the media and the role of citizens in general
She/he needs to be non-partisan or bias while conducting their voter education
She/he must be truthful in their efforts and should be aware that if found deliberately misinforming people she/he will be prosecuted, hence should be factual.

16. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION