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Tag: Democracy

On election day citizens use their democratic freedom of choice, writes Geetha Kanniah, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia who recently cast her first vote. She describes the excitement of an election campaign that caught a nation’s attention. Who are you voting for?  That was a common question asked by Malaysians a few months ago. …

"Taking part in the process of democracy” Read More »

Cameroon made history recently by sending voters to the polls for a ‘twin election’ of parliamentary and council candidates. Correspondent Alphonse Akouyu, 19, from Bamenda, Cameroon, takes a look at the campaign and election day. There is no doubt that Cameroonians put September 30th   in the annals of history when they went to the polls to …

“Cameroon’s twin elections made history” Read More »

Commonwealth Youth Forum delegates today elected the executive for the largest and most diverse youth body in the world, the new Commonwealth Youth Council. Ahmed Adamu from Nigeria will chair the new body, which will be the recognised voice of the 1.2 billion young people of the Commonwealth and provide a framework for youth-led development initiatives. …

Commonwealth youth delegates elect new youth council leaders Read More »

India’s electoral reform will empower people, enable greater participation and drive the selection of candidates with moral integrity, argues Shomira Sanyal, 19, a Correspondent from New Delhi in India, as the country tries a new system during local elections in five states. The sights and sounds of the election season in India are at best …

“India: electoral reform allows another positive vote” Read More »

A four-year- long struggle for workers’ rights has transformed a rural Indian village, writes Shomira Sanyal, 19, a Correspondent from New Delhi in India, who says an unlikely figure became a model of social activism. Deepnarayan, a Uphrel villager in the Sikti block of Araria in Bihar, India, is hardly a stereotypical activist. His warm …

"Participation is the pillar of democracy" Read More »

An independent judiciary has long been endorsed as one of the three pillars of good government, writes Madusha Erandi, 21, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, but society must be vigilant to safeguard the rule of law.  Blackstone, the famous English Jurist, summed up his ideas about the independence of a judiciary within a …

“Bedrock of democracy: an independent judiciary” Read More »

Political and administrative drama is shaking up Nigeria’s government, writes Abubakar Umar, 24, a Correspondent from Katsina in Nigeria, who argues the political awakening is an opportunity for positive leadership. The change of tune in the politics of Nigeria has immensely reshuffled the dancing structure of the key players and the usual path of the …

"Pace of hope changes for Nigeria's democracy" Read More »

Youth are sometimes seen as too immature to take part in politics, writes Rizwan Anwar, 24, a Correspondent from Lahore in Pakistan. But he argues that democracy means including youth who want to shape the future. People between the ages of 15 and 29 constitute youth. Those in their teens among the youth are said …

"Youth as part of the new political leadership" Read More »

Party politics comes under critical examination by Ryan Bachoo, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, who argues that voters are being short-changed by the tradition of party loyalty. In early May, former Independent Senator in the Trinidad and Tobago Senate and attorney at law in private practice, Dana Seetahal was assassinated. It brought …

"Party loyalty can destroy voters' critical thinking" Read More »

Every vote counts in a democracy writes Pax Nvani, 25, a Correspondent from Eket in Nigeria, as he makes the case that voting is an obligation that has a powerful impact not only on the government but also on the country’s future. Nigeria gained independence in October, 1963, yet ever since that day has remained an uneasy federation …

"The power of your vote as a catalyst for Nigeria" Read More »