MSP Alasdair Allan has marked UN International Youth Day by calling on young people aged 15 and over to register to vote ahead of next year’s Scottish general election.
This reflects this year’s International Youth Day theme of ‘Youth Civic Engagement.’
The
2016 election will be the first where 16 and 17 year olds will have the right to
vote following the unanimous passage of the Scottish Elections Bill in June.
Alasdair Allan said: “We are marking International Youth Day only a short time after Scotland has become just the second country in the EU to lower the voting age to 16 for national elections.
"I have believed for a long time that 16 and 17 year olds should have the right to vote.
"Given that 16 year olds have the right to marry, join the army and can pay taxes it is simply not justifiable to exclude them; especially when young people are the ones most affected by the decisions we take in the Scottish Parliament."
Mr Allan added: “The referendum last year launched a wave of political engagement and enthusiasm amongst our young people that saw over 110,000 16 and 17 year olds exercise their right to vote. We need to make sure this carries on.
“My message to young people in the Western isles is that your opinion matters and you can make your voice heard by voting in the upcoming election and influencing who will govern Scotland.
“Registering to vote is easy and will only take five minutes; just go to gov.uk/register-
International Youth Day marked by call for 16-
14 August 2015