With general elections just over three months away, the Guyana Youth and Student Movement is on a campaign to improve voter education, particularly amongst the youths of Guyana. The youth arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest constituent of the main opposition APNU, launched the “Respect My Vote Campaign” late last month and the initiative is geared at “enthusing and educating young voters.” According to Randolph Critchlow, member of the GYSM, the group had noted with concern the level of apathy being showcased by voters. The GYSM said apathy was particularly noteworthy in the young voter population.
As a result, the GYSM is seeking to target young people by “meeting them where they are” and social media is expected to play a big role in improving voter education. “The social media drive will seek to have influential media and entertainment personalities advocating for voting,” Critchlow said. He explained that popular social network sites will be used and persons will be able to upload their #RespectMyVote photos.
“The campaign has already gotten the support of many popular youth leaders and media personalities, such as Nuriyyih Gerard,” Critchlow pointed out. He further said that these persons had indicated that voting was important and allowed for young people to have their voices heard.
The Respect My Vote campaign will be moving around the country hoping to enthuse and educated all young people about voting. The tag line is “I respect my vote enough not to waste it,” Critchlow added.
