Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo said young people were prepared for this new responsibility. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo told Parliament the Bill giving 16-year-olds the right to vote in local council elections would fulfill an important electoral promise.

He hailed it as one of a link of initiatives involving young people, which included the warrant to graduates in youth work.

Through the committee Vot16 – made up of University representatives, youth councils and the three political parties which worked hand in hand with the highest institutions in the country – there was a very healthy debate not only about the right of 16-year-olds to vote but also about other issues concerning young people.

He said that when Aġenzija Żgħażagħ had researched young people’s perception of this reform, over 70 per cent felt it was a positive development. However, the figure dropped to 51 per cent when they were asked whether youths of the same age should be allowed to contest elections, whether it was for the local Parliament, the European Parliament or the local councils.

Local councils had proposed an ambassador for young people who would have the right to attend their meetings, but without a vote. This proposal was welcome and in every locality there was now a young ambassador who could put forward the views of young people.

This new generation could not be ignored

Dr Buontempo said young people were prepared for this new responsibility and it would lead a 4.5 per cent increase in voters in the next council elections. This new generation could not be ignored because they would now have a say in the way their council was led, and the councils needed to come up with ways to involve this generation in their activities.

In the next election, political parties must remember to involve 16-year olds, as nobody could ignore them. Local councils had to start giving some thought to how youths could be involved, to ensure they were given the help and training needed and to come up with a plan to improve opportunities for youths.

This was a historic decision, and now one had to move forward from words to actions.

Although some believed that 16-year-olds were not mature enough and could be manipulated by adults, this was definitely the exception. When one exercised the right to vote for the first time, it was more likely that this behaviour would continue throughout one’s life.

This was a way of strengthening youth participation in society, he said. This was why it was one of the first measures announced by the government.

Dr Buontempo described this initiative as a demonstration of trust in our youth, making sure their voice was heard.

Malta was one of the first countries to broaden its democratic process, even if there were a number of countries discussing a similar amendment. Accepting that these youths were mature and ready to make their own choices was important. They were determined and full of enthusiasm, which was important as local councils needed their energy and ideas.

Dr Buontempo said this amendment was a breath of fresh air for local councils, this being the reason why he hoped both sides would vote in favour, to send a clear signal to youths that “we believe in their capabilities”.