Vote 16 : implications for Maltese political parties

Abstract

For some, it is very difficult to imagine youths pursing or being interested in politics. It is perceived that politics does not to include youths nor does it represent youths, in number nor in any other meaningful way. They are absent in representation and, often, their views are perceived to be dismissed. Now that youths in Malta have a voice in society and a vote, this perception must change. Political parties need to look at youths in a more significant way and not just use them as a backdrop for their political campaigns. In an ever-changing society, where individualism seems to be the order of the day, it is challenging for political parties to reach out to youths using traditional methods. This research will investigate the implications that the lowering of the voting age to 16 years has brought about for political parties, mainly focusing on youth engagement in politics, education and how these may or may not influence election turnouts and democracy. This research comes at an interesting time for Malta. It comes on the eve of the 2019 Local Council and the European Parliament (EP) elections, where in both elections youths aged 16 -17 years will be voting for the first time. Another first for Malta, youths aged 16-17 years are now able to contest Local Council elections. Three such candidates have taken up this challenge. This research will show that political parties need to change the way they are doing politics if they want youths to feel included. Furthermore a great emphasis will be made on citizenship education and how this is the key if we want to get the best out of Vote 16.