The Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission is set to back a reduction in the voting age to 16, after a year long study to be published next Monday.
The Labour party is increas ingly sympathetic to the idea - first backed by the Liberal Democrats - and will discuss it at its party conference in the autumn. The Conservatives remain opposed to the move, arguing that the age of political maturity is 18.
However 60% of people aged 16 or under back the change, according to a poll conducted by Mori last year.
The Electoral Commission, established by the government in 2000 to oversee the conduct of elections and electoral law, has no power to impose the change itself but is likely to shape government thinking.
The organisation has played an active role in developing debate on issues from party funding to voter apathy. In previous reports it has highlighted the unusually low level of interest in politics among the 18-to-24 year age group.
Advocates of a lower age argue that it will stimulate interest in voting among young people. Research suggests that the earlier people are able to exercise their first vote, the more likely they are to sustain the habit. Critics argue that many teenagers do not have the maturity or knowledge to use the right sensibly.
The commission refused yesterday to confirm formally reports that it will back a lower voting age, saying only that it would not be proposing a timetable for implementing the reform.
It is not seen as realistic for the reform to be introduced before the next general election, especially since there is no cross-party consensus on the proposal.
Research for the commission estimates that turnout among 18-to 24-year-olds fell to just 39% at the 2001 general election. In local elections, participation is even lower: only an estimated 11% of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in local elections in 2002.
The commission has pointed out that at present 16-year-olds cannot vote, but can leave school, apply for a passport, pay tax, have sex, play the...