2,800 ‘lost’ youth voters ‘should have a say’ – SDM

Speaking following a debate held by student media organisation Insite on Monday, Balzan said that there needs to be a measured and deliberated assessment of the situation to determine what the situation over the 2,800 youth voters actually is.

Balzan was answering questions by MaltaToday about the ongoing squabble between the Nationalist and Labour Parties over who is to blame for how 2,800 voters who turn 18 between October 2010 and March 2011 and will not be able to vote in the upcoming divorce referendum on 28 May.

Balzan said that while everything should be done to ensure that these students should have a voice, Electoral legislation had to be upheld and respected, adding that there is the risk of a dangerous precedent being set (referring to keeping a presidential writ in the metaphorical ‘drawer’).

Asked however to react to correspondence published pertaining to commission meetings revealing that the commission based its advice on legal counsel by Constitutional lawyer and legal consultant to parliament and government Prof Ian Refalo, Balzan  said that one could hardly doubt the counsel of such an authoritative figure.

Balzan emphasised that all concerned parties should follow the issue closely to try and find away to ensure that these youth still have a voice, and said it would be an issue he would focus on should he be elected to KSU.