New Zealand: The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has committed to introduce a law in Parliament, and New Zealand is considering lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.
According to The Guardian, a landmark Supreme Court judgement that the current voting limit of 18 was “discriminatory” and violated the human rights of young people led to the decision to examine granting 16-year-olds the ability to vote.
Also Read: CJI, Collegium judges interact with protesting Gujarat, Telangana HC Lawyers. Details here
Lack of support to pass the bill
Although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern personally favours the proposal, at least 75% of the MPs in Parliament must also support the bill to lower the voting age. The government does not currently have enough support to pass such a Bill.
“I personally support a decrease in the voting age but it is not a matter simply for me or even the government, any change in electoral law of this nature requires 75 per cent of parliamentarian support,” The Independent on Monday cited Jacinda Ardern as stating.
Also Read: China: Raging fire in Henan kills 36 and injures 2. Watch Video
Nations that permit voting under the age of 18
The New Zealand court argued that since concerns like the climate catastrophe will disproportionately affect them and their futures, younger people should be permitted to vote on them. Only a small number of nations, including Brazil, Austria, and Cuba, permit voting under the age of 18.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
