Updated | Youth Council pushes legislators to open debate on vote 16

The National Youth Council has reiterated its call for a parliamentary debate to be opened regarding the proposal to extend voting rights to 16-year-olds to all elections prior to the upcoming 2018 general elections.

Approached by the Youth Council for their opinion on the matter, independent MP Giovanna Debono as well as Opposition leader Simon Busuttil have said they will support the motion once it is tabled in parliament and a vote is a taken.

Labour whip Godfrey Farrugia, answering in the name of the Labour parliamentary group, referred to Budget 2017 saying that a consultation period with the aim to analyse the extension of granting voting rights to 16-year-olds to MEP elections and General Election.

“While we believe in this right, we need to be certain that our country has discussed this move before moving on to the next step,” Farrugia said.

In a separate statement, Marlene Farrugia’s Democratic Party also said that it supports the extension of voting rights, calling for action to be taken.

“Partit Demokratiku believes that that such a right should not be delayed to after the upcoming election. Youths have already been granted a right to vote in local council elections. It is time to take it a step further and grant voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds for the upcoming elections,” the party said, adding that: “If youths are fit to vote for local councils, then they are also fit to participate in elections which will have a greater impact on their future.”

Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh reiterated its support for a vote 16 in all elections. ADZ said that Alternattiva Demokratika had been
campaigning for a vote 16 since 2008. It was pleased that finally now all political youth and student organisations, as well as the National
Youth Council, were backing this proposal.

Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh spokesperson Marc' Andrea Cassar said: "We fully back KNZ's proposal. Parliament should be discussing vote 16 now, so that 16 year olds can vote in the next general election. We will keep putting pressure on parliament so that next year young people will be able to have a say in their future."