A fortnight after discussions on a Bill to lower the voting age in local council elections began, Ivan Martin met with 16-year-old students outside Junior College. Did they care about this new right – and will they use it?
Ayrton Mifsud
• I fully agree with it. Teens deserve this right. We will set an example for others. I imagine this will be adopted across the rest of Europe as younger citizens are becoming more active. Youngsters in Malta are involved in politics.
Nicole Vassallo
• It’s definitely a good thing. There might be people who don’t bother voting, I will. The low turn-out in student elections might be reflected though.
Jean Gilson
• It’s good because it’s allowing young people to take part in active citizenship. I will vote in the local council elections because they have a strong bearing on where I live.
Ryan Seychell
• I think the more teenagers are involved in the local councils, the more in tune councils will become with society’s needs. I agree with the introduction of this and think most teens do too.
Photos: Mark Zammit CordinaKimberly Incorva
• What is vote 16? I’ve never heard of it and I have no idea what it could be.
Brett Grech
• It’s a good idea, but we need to educate people on this more. There is definitely the appetite to vote for the councils and to contest the elections. I think a mentality shift is needed and 16-year-olds could bring a breath of fresh air.
Brenda Fenech
• It makes sense to lower the voting age. We’re responsible enough to take this decision. If you had to ask me whether people would bother voting, I’d say yes, they would. Not everyone is prepared for it, but a lot are. The low turnout for student elections will probably be reflected in this.