UK to lower voting age to 16; introduces new political donation restrictions to prevent foreign interference
PTC Web Desk: In a historic move, the UK government has announced that the minimum voting age will now be lowered from 18 to 16. This means that young people aged 16 and 17 will be able to vote in the upcoming general elections, marking a significant shift in the country's electoral landscape.
The last change to the voting age in the UK occurred in 1969 when it was reduced from 21 to 18. Earlier, 16 and 17-year-olds could only vote in certain elections in Scotland and Wales, but now, they will be able to participate in local, regional, and general elections across the entire UK.
Alongside the voting age change, the UK government has introduced a new rule limiting political donations from foreign sources. Under the new regulations, no political party will be allowed to accept more than £500 (approximately Rs 58,000) from any foreign donor. This move is aimed at preventing foreign billionaires, such as Elon Musk, from influencing UK politics and elections with their financial contributions.
The government has emphasised that the reduction of the voting age is intended to promote greater youth involvement in democracy and to ensure justice for young people, particularly those serving in the military or those ready to serve their country.
The government believes this will help restore public trust in the electoral system and democracy, addressing concerns about political disengagement. The decision also aligns with a promise made by the Labour Party in their manifesto ahead of last year's general election.
According to the IPPR think tank, approximately 9.5 million young people in the UK stand to benefit from the new voting regulations. Currently, around 48.2 million people are registered to vote in the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner stated that public trust in democracy and governmental institutions has been steadily declining, and it is time to make significant changes. "Giving 16-year-olds the right to vote not only increases democratic participation but also strengthens society for the future," she said.
In line with the voting age change, the government is also overhauling the voter ID system. Bank cards will now be accepted as voter identification, alongside other digital forms of ID such as driving licenses and veterans' cards.
However, some opposition leaders have expressed concerns that these changes could undermine the security of the voting process.
The government has taken additional measures to prevent foreign interference in UK elections by imposing stricter regulations on political donations. Now, companies donating to political parties must prove that they are based in the UK or Ireland and that they earn revenue from those countries. Earlier, any British company could donate to a political party, regardless of where it was based or who owned it.
Under the new regulations, donations exceeding £500 will be closely scrutinised, especially if they originate from abroad. The Electoral Commission will now have the authority to impose fines of up to £500,000 on individuals or entities that violate the rules.
This decision comes after it was revealed that American billionaire Elon Musk had made significant donations to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Under the new rules, Musk and others like him will no longer be able to influence UK politics unless they can prove that their funds originate from within the UK.
- With inputs from agencies
