MSPs expected to back plan to cut voting age to 16

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32908323

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MSPs are expected to back plans to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government.

The move follows a similar extension for the independence referendum last year.

This was widely considered a success in terms of engaging young people in politics.

A Scottish Parliament committee has already unanimously backed the proposal.

However, schools have been urged to offer pupils more access to electoral information and debate.

The proposed age extension was also supported in last year's Smith Commission on further devolution for Scotland.

The Commission's final report stated: "The parties call on the UK Parliament to devolve the relevant powers in sufficient time to allow the Scottish Parliament to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds for the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections, should the Scottish Parliament wish to do so."

Young people aged 16 and 17 were not allowed to vote in the recent general election, and they will not be able to take part in the forthcoming referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.

Legal authority

The UK government used a so-called "section 30" order, which avoids primary legislation, to pass power to the Scottish Parliament.

This mechanism was used to lend Holyrood the unequivocal legal authority to hold the independence referendum.

Earlier this year, Holyrood's devolution committee strongly backed the change.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford said at the time: "The overwhelming view was that it was only right that 16 and 17-year-olds should be included in the franchise for future elections.

"The committee unanimously recommends that the Scottish Parliament give its approval to the relevant draft order and enable all those involved in electoral administration to make the necessary arrangements ahead of the next elections to the Scottish Parliament."