Young people set to vote in mock elections

Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:00 AM

Away from the main general election campaign, there is a second voting extravaganza going on - in schools.

Mock elections organised by the DfES, Hansard Society and Electoral Commission have succeeded in signing up over 1,500 schools and 300,000 young people, making it the largest such programme to date.

Michael Raftery, project manager at the Hansard Society said: "The Y Vote Mock Elections for schools mirror the excitement and buzz of a real election, raising awareness of citizenship, and the benefits of active democracy. They enable young people to fully participate, from standing as party candidates, writing speeches and canvassing support, to building ballot boxes and designing campaign posters.

"Mock elections are a great way to help young people understand how the democratic process works."

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