Pupils set for independence vote showdown
SENIOR pupils at Banff Academy are gearing up for their first taste of the polling booth next Tuesday – a year ahead of the referendum on independence for Scotland.
They will be among hundreds of secondary school pupils across Aberdeenshire who will vote of the first time when the independence issue is put to a national vote on Thursday, September 18, 2014.
With support from Aberdeenshire Council and the Grampian Electoral Registration Office, students at Banff Academy will set up and contest hustings, and hold their own polls, learning about the issues involved, and engaging with all sides of the debate before casting their votes. Many will qualify for a vote next September. Aberdeenshire Council chief executive and returning officer, Colin Mackenzie, who will officiate in next year’s referendum, believes young people will benefit greatly from next week’s dress rehearsal.
He said: "This is an exciting project which mirrors what is happening at a national level and it will give young people an insight into how the referendum will be conducted.
"It’s designed to increase electoral participation and get young people involved and interested in the democratic process.
"I’m excited to see how young people in our schools approach this project, and I hope they feel inspired to learn more and maybe even get involved in the democratic process themselves."
The results of the schools referendum will be returned at Meldrum Academy next Wednesday – a year before the entire nation goes to the polls
The schools referendum will be run in the same way as any real election, using specially printed ballot papers and electoral registers, but it will be organised and run entirely by pupils.
Grampian’s electoral registration officer, Ian Milton said: "Just after the schools referendum, every household in Aberdeenshire will receive a special form for young people who will be 16 or 17 years old by the time of the national referendum in 2014," said Mr Milton. "Completion of the form will enable these young people to ensure that their vote is counted and their voice is heard in the national referendum on independence."
