Updated 5.18pm - Added Marlene Farrugia post

Independent MP Marlene Farrugia has backed calls by the National Youth Council for the general election voting age to be lowered to 16. 

In a Facebook post, Ms Farrugia said she would be presenting a motion in parliament this coming Thursday calling for a debate on the matter, with the aim of having the voting age lowered in time for the next general election. 

Earlier today, the National Youth Council had argued that voting rights for 16-year-olds should be extended to all elections, not just those for local councils.

"If at 16 years of age a person can work and contribute  NI and is mature enough to vote in local council elections, there is no need to wait until 2024 for full voting rights to be granted. We call on both the government and the opposition to extend voting rights for youths before the general election of 2018," the council said. 

The council was reacting to proposals made in the draft National Children's Policy, issued yesterday.

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