Elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament
and East Dunbartonshire Youth Council will be taking place
simultaneously across East Dunbartonshire from Monday 4 March to
Friday 15 March 2013.
Anyone, who currently lives, studies or works
in East Dunbartonshire and is aged between 12-25 will be able to
vote in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections, while anyone aged
12-18 can vote in East Dunbartonshire Youth Council elections.
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)
represents Scotland’s young people. Democratically elected
members, aged 14-25, listen to and recognise the issues that are
most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are
heard by decision makers.
The East Dunbartonshire Youth Council
(EDYC) represents the collective voice of young people in
the local area. Youth Councillors are voted for by young people
aged 12-18 from their school catchment area. Youth Councillors meet
once a month to discuss issues of local importance to young people.
They also represent young people’s views to the council and are
consulted on issues affecting young people.
Councillor Eric Gotts, Convenor of Education,
said, “These elections give young people a voice. It’s their
opportunity to elect candidates that can express their opinions and
views to decision makers and I would encourage all young people in
East Dunbartonshire to take the time to vote.”
Voting can be can be carried out online for
SYP and EDYC using the Young Scot website, making East
Dunbartonshire Council the first local authority in Scotland to use
e-voting for local and national elections at the same time - all
voters need is a valid Young Scot card number and school pupils
will be given a card and a time to vote at school during the
election period.
Polling stations will also be set up by
Community Learning & Development and Children’s Services at the
following locations on the dates listed below for use by both
school age and non-school age young people:
•Bearsden Academy – 5 March 2013
•Turnbull High – 6 March 2013
• Kirkintilloch High – 7 March 2013
•Lenzie Academy – 8 March 2013
•Bishopbriggs Academy – 11 March 2013
•St Ninian's High – 13 March 2013
•East Dunbartonshire Campus of Further and
Higher Education – 13 March 2013
•Douglas Academy – 14 March 2013
•Boclair Academy – 15 March 2013
In addition, the Young Scot Info mobile bus
will provide another opportunity to vote, touring different
locations in East Dunbartonshire on 7 and 9 March 2013 and young
people can also use their own computer or smartphone from any
location to vote.
Any young person who does not have a Young
Scot card can collect one from the Kirkintilloch Community Hub
within William Patrick Library or from Brookwood Villa in Bearsden,
by providing proof that they live, work or study in the area, along
with photographic ID.
The results of the elections will be announced
at a celebratory event for candidates, their families and schools
after 5pm on Friday 15 March 2013 and published online
thereafter.
For further details on how to vote or to find
out more about the candidates please visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
or www.youngscot.org/local/east-dunbartonshire
Date: Monday 4
March 2013