At least two young Jamaicans believe the island’s main political parties need to step up their efforts to engage youth voters. However, one member of a Jamaica Observer focus group commended the present government for its efforts to reach that voting block including by keeping young people informed on matters such as the constitutional reform process.

“For one, at the ‘Moving Jamaica to a Republic’ seminar – that was very influential in helping to decide who we will vote for eventually because they (the government) came up with the initiative,” the female member of the panel posited.

“I attend the University of the West Indies [and] they make themselves present [at various events], and as for social media, I see where they are encouraging youth Parliament as well, and that’s a good initiative,” she added.

But while noting that Prime Minister Andrew Holness and former Prime Minister Bruce Golding (both from the JLP) have engaged young people through various methods during their respective stints in government, she said more youth engagement is needed.

Another female panelist concurred.

“The average person in Jamaica who is coming of age does not know that they need to be enumerated in order to vote… There must be more responsibility on the part of MPs [and] schools to help people understand how the voting process even works. You can’t have a voice if you’re not on the list,” she pointed out.

The young woman, in the meantime, said participation outside of elections is another aspect of the political process that is not usually discussed.

“Every four [to five] years we’re called to vote, but when we have things like the SPARK programme, which roads should be fixed, they call community groups. The people that are a part of community groups are 65 [years] plus. Which young person who owns a home in these areas come out to identify a road that should be fixed? So they’re deliberately keeping young people out of the system,” the woman opined.