Scottish gov't publishes bill to engage younger people in 2016 elections

The Scottish government published on Thursday a bill to lower the voting age to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections in May 2016.

The involvement and enthusiasm of young people was a highlight of the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, and their engagement with the issues and participation in the campaign left them keener than ever to remain actively involved in the political process, said a Scottish government press release.

The publication of the bill marks the beginning of the parliamentary consideration process. Subject to the agreement of parliament, the bill will be passed in time to allow registration officers to complete their work to ensure 16 and 17 year-olds are able to vote in the Scottish elections, it added.

The Scottish Government's proposals, set out in the bill, come after the Privy Council (a formal body of advisers to the sovereignty in Britain) decision to approve the section 30 order that handed power to legislate on the voting age to the Scottish Parliament as recommended by the Smith Commission established after the Referendum.

Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "September's independence referendum stimulated an unprecedented level of political engagement in Scotland, not least from the 16 and 17 year old young people who grasped the opportunity to vote for the first time with both hands. This was a truly inspiring period that led to a level of political engagement that few would have predicted and that can only be positive for Scotland going forward."

"I warmly welcome the broad cross-party support for the Scottish Government's proposal to extend the right to vote in Scottish Parliament and local government elections to include 16 and 17 year-olds. I am pleased that the legislation has now been introduced to Parliament for consideration, in good time for the Scottish election in May 2016," he noted.

The Smith Commission recommended that the Scottish Parliament should have all powers in relations to elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government elections in Scotland.

The transfer of powers will be included in the proposed Scotland Bill which will be introduced at Westminster British parliament after the general election in Britain this May.

In the meantime, the Smith Commission recommended that the British Parliament should devolve the relevant powers in sufficient time to allow the Scottish Parliament to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds for the 2016 Scottish parliamentary elections, should the Scottish Parliament wish to do so. Endit