There will be a concerted push to register all the Island's young, eligible voters especially young black males between 18 to 25 who may be involved in gangs, The Royal Gazette has learned.

And the group behind the move -- concert promoters Dred and Baha -- have already started talking to young men from the Curving Avenue and Middletown areas.

Gladwin Simmons, one of the principals behind Dred and Baha, said that he had four children who were all of voting age and he intended to ensure that they were registered.

"Democracy is a voting game,'' he explained. "It's a numbers game. And with the upcoming General Election due sometime this year, it is one of the more practical ways to get politicians' attention.

"We know and they know that the bottom line is the ballot.'' Meanwhile, Dread and Baha board member Jill Bascome, said that the voter registration project will be aimed at young people of voting age because many of them have not made the connection between the political change and the ability to vote.

She said: "When a young person gets registered to vote they feel a part of the process. It is a way to empowerment. It is a way to make changes legally.

"Who you vote for is irrelevant. What is important is to participate in the process.'' Consequently, she said that as more youth, especially those who may be attracted to gangs, register and exercise their right to vote, they will start to have a sense of their own agency and are less likely to view themselves as victims of "the system.'' "When youth are registered voters, they will feel their own power because the UBP, PLP and NLP will have to take their concerns seriously.'' At the moment, Andrew Phillips, the other principal behind Dred and Baha, said that the organisation is just placing its focus on meeting with youth, especially young black males, and talking to them about the significance of the vote.

As the deadline for registration nears, he said they will intensify their effort toward those homes and persons who have not registered.

"Dred and Baha will be out and about in those so-called hard areas and we will sit down with the brothers and hear their concerns.

"We will be on Curving Avenue and Court Street, 42nd Street (St. Monica's Road), Jones' Village and Rubber Tree (near PHC Stadium), Dockyard and the Naval Field, Southampton Rangers, Harlem Heights, Devil's Hole, Devonshire Recreation Club, Admiralty House and Friswell's Hill.'' And Mr. Simmons added: "The Youth have been ignored because they seem to be uninterested. But it behooves them to get involved, and register to vote because it is the only way they will get a hearing.''