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Should 16-year-olds be given the right to vote in general elections

As parties push for 16-year-olds to be allowed to vote in general elections – having already been given the right to vote in local council elections – there should be caution and further discussion before a decision is made.

It’s a pity that many Maltese children and teens are led into following a political party without knowing the historical or ideological background of the political issues being discussed. As in the rest of the world, there’s a valid reason why 16-year-olds do not have the right to vote, and it has nothing to do with being liberal or conservative.

Each individual needs to be given the time to develop their own opinion, and it would be scandalous to grant 16-year-olds the right to vote simply to look good or in attempt to gain more votes in the election.