Plans for mock elections at Bunscoill Rhumsaa

Fri, 28 Dec 2018

Ramsey Town Commissioners are drawing up plans to hold a mock election for students at Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

It’s to educate and inspire the young people of the town to engage with local politics in the the run-up to the 2020 local authority general elections.

The initiative was highlighted in a recent report compiled by the authority’s officers, aimed at boosting voter turnout.

Ramsey town clerk Peter Whiteway says mock elections help students understand the development of policy, promotion of candidates and the process of election itself.

When a similar exercise was held previously, Mr Whiteway believes it prompted pupils to discuss issues facing Ramsey with parents and siblings.

He says other mock elections have worked well:

By Ewan Gawne - Local Democracy Reporter