Thousands attend Triple V launch graced by Macky 2 in Chipata

By Brenda Zulu

Thousands attended a Triple V campaign launch graced by Macky2 's electric performance and voter registration education in Chipata.

More than Five thousands youths and young women attended the Triple V Campaign launch where Macky2 took the crowd by storm as he preformed and educated them on voter registration.

Mark Mulaza Kaira popularly known as Macky2 graced the launch of the Triple V campaign at Chipata Gold Club on September 5, 2015.

Macky2 encouraged the youths and young women to obtain National Registration Cards (NRC) and register in the 2016 elections. He said it was important for them to participate in elections and to exercise their right to vote.

Macky2 rocked the Triple V concert spiced with electoral education campaign messages which made the crowd to participate. He made youths realise that they had power to choose whoever they wanted for a leader.

"Never take everything for granted. Appreciate every opportunity that you have in life. We are here to educate you to on how to involve yourselves in the governance of the country. On 14 th September you should register to become voter. You should always remember that voting is your right and vote for whoever you want. Voting is a secret," said Macky2.

The youths who attended the launch learn't about the importance of registering as voters.

Sarafina Tembo a 29 years old young woman said it was important to vote and also to see what the one you vote for would do for the community.

Josephine Siwo, a 25 years old voter added that every young person who will be 18 years by 2016 obtain an NRC and a voters card.

Akim Nyatula a 30 years old youth said from the launch he learnt the importance of voting , registering and participating in the governance of the country.
"Am happy that this sensitization has kicked off early. Hopefully there will be no voter apathy in next years election," said Nyatula.

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) spearheading the Triple V (My Vote, My Voice, My Victory) Campaign aimed at building a critical mass of voters amongst young people on September 5, 2015 officially launched the campaign with a concert that was held Chipata.

The Triple V Campaign which is being funded by OSISA and HIVOS was initiated in July 2015 by four organizations working in governance and election issues namely Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Operation Young Vote (OYV) and Young Women in Action (YWA).

The project aims at addressing voter apathy amongst young people in Zambia by encouraging them to register as voters, verify their details in the voter register and finally go out and vote during the 2016 elections.

Triple V Campaign Spokesperson and Zambia National Women’s Lobby Executive Director Juliet Kaira Chibuta says the growth of Zambia’s democracy is dependent on the young people who form the larger segment of the population. Ms. Chibuta says it is imperative that all the youths that have attained the voting age be captured in the registration exercise to enable them participate in the 2016 elections.

 She says the Coalition decided to launch the project in Eastern Province as it is one of the provinces that recorded the lowest voter turnout during the January 20, 2015 Presidential elections.

Ms. Chibuta says young men and women are important stakeholders in the electoral process of the country and initiatives aimed at encouraging them to participate in elections should be supported.