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18 year-olds to stand for election

DEPARTMENT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS News Release (039/07) issued by The Government News Network on 4 April 2007

For the first time, 18 year-olds will be able to stand as candidates in the May local elections in England and Welsh Assembly elections.

Bridget Prentice, Democracy Minister, said:

"By lowering the candidacy age to 18, the Government wants to see more young people represented in politics at all levels and becoming involved in the democratic process.

"Young people take on a number of rights and responsibilities at 18 - including being eligible for jury service - and there is no reason why they should not also be able to stand as candidates in elections.

"We want to promote the participation of young people and the reduction in the age of candidacy to 18 will encourage a greater sense of citizenship."

Ms Prentice has met more than 250 young people and visited 17 youth groups over the past year as part of a programme to encourage young people and under-represented groups to participate in the democratic process. She has visited secondary and primary schools, met community groups and attended events like the Democracy Coalition for Children and Young People and People and Politics Day.

The new age for candidates was introduced in the Electoral Administration (2006) Act.

There are 15 days left to register to vote in the May local elections.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For more on elections see http://www.dca.gov.uk/elections/index.htm on the DCA website.

2. There are 18-21 year old candidates standing for election in Manchester, Stratford upon Avon, Waveney, Poole, Barrow, Southampton, Oldham, Lancaster, West Oxfordshire, Runnymede, Flyde, Harlow, Bournemouth.

3. The Electoral Administration Bill was introduced in Parliament in October 2005 and became an Act in July 2006. For full details of the effects of the Electoral Administration Act visit: http://www.dca.gov.uk/legist/electadmin.htm

4. Copies of the Act are available from http://www.dca.gov.uk/legist/electadmin.htm.

5. Section 17 of the Act reduces the age of candidacy from 21 to 18 for those seeking election to the House of Commons, local authorities, election as Mayor or Assembly member of the Greater London Authority.

6. The Electoral Commission is an independent body that aims to promote integrity, involvement and effectiveness. Its website is at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/

ENDS

http://www.dca.gov.uk