Beyond Apathy: A Critical look at Youth Participation in the 2014 Fijian Elections

Kant, Romitesh (2014) Beyond Apathy: A Critical look at Youth Participation in the 2014 Fijian Elections. [Conference Proceedings] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

On September 17th 2014, Fiji is heading towards elections, after 8 years of authoritarian rule. The climate under which elections are to take place is hardly conducive to free, fair and credible elections with many of the decrees that restrict human rights, media freedom etc still in place and state intimidation through various means of activists and participants still continuing albeit without getting reported. This year in Fiji, 47% of those registered to vote are aged between 18-35 years of which 75% are first time voters. Political parties and campaigners have had to adopt new ways to engage this important demographic that could very well determine the outcome of the elections. While literature points to youth disengagement from formal political participation, it has been noted that youths remain interested in socio-political issues and continue to seek recognition from the political system. This is certainly been the case of youths and their participation in politics in Fiji. This paper will provide an insight into youth participation in politics using two political movements I have been part of – the Fiji Youth for Democracy and Roshika Deo’s, an aspiring independent candidate, ‘Be the Change’ campaign.

Item Type:	Conference Proceedings
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Government, Development and International Affairs
Depositing User:	Romitesh Kant
Date Deposited:	24 Mar 2015 22:25
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2016 00:08
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/7706

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