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16 year olds to get the referendum vote            16/3/13

SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, is backing giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in next year’s independence referendum.

The Scottish Referendum (Franchise) Bill lodged in the Scottish Parliament is the first step to lowering the voting age.

It aims to permit those who will be 16 or over on polling day to register to vote.  Data on 16 and 17 year olds will be kept on a separate electoral register. New safeguards will be brought in to secure the information.

Alasdair Allan commented: “The people who will be most affected by Scotland’s big decision next year are our young people.

“When I visit schools in the Western Isles it’s very clear that young people are already thinking on the debate about Scotland’s future and what that means for them.

“Given that 16 year olds have the right to marry, join the army and can pay taxes it does seem fair that they are given the right to vote.

“While the UK Government is not willing to change the voting age in normal elections agreement has been reached for votes at 16 in 2014.

“I know that this move will energise the debate already taking place among Scotland’s young people about our future, and I am confident that this legislation will pass in Parliament.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “No-one has a bigger stake in the future of our country than today’s young people and it is only right that they are able to have a say in the most important vote to be held in Scotland for three centuries.

“In next year’s referendum, Scotland’s 16 and 17 year olds will be given the opportunity to shape their country’s path by choosing what type of country they want Scotland to be.

“It is a straight choice. An independent country where we make the big decisions affecting our future here in Scotland or leave our destiny to be determined remotely. It is a choice about the type of country we want Scotland to be and I am confident that young people in Scotland will want to take responsibility for Scotland’s future.”