Members of the Public Association “Honor, Dignity and Homeland” (ODIP) demand that the right to vote should be given at 16. According to them, the guaranteeing of this right by two years earlier than now will be an efficient instrument for integrating the young people into society.
In a news conference at IPN, the Association’s head Vlad Biletski said that not enough time and attention is devoted to the young people and the election campaigns show this. The candidates aimed their programs at all the age brackets, but practically not at all at the young people. They all speak about pensions, the fight against corruption, but say nothing about scholarships, dorms and other issues related to this age category and then the authorities complain that the young people massively leave the country.
The young man gave the example of a number of developed states where the people get the vote at 16. According to him, this brings the young people into focus and shows the parties’ interest in promoting youth policies. This way the parties can convince the young people to stay in Moldova.
Vlad Biletski said the people in Moldova can find a job at 16, can start a family and can be held accountable at this age, but do not have the right to vote and become involved in the decision-making process in the country.
ODIP member Renata Uratu, who will soon reach 16, said she wants to be able to vote. This age is important because the responsible life starts at this age. “We think that by offering the young people the right to vote at 16, we offer them the right to choose their future. We can see that the young people today are very involved in the political, social and even economic life of the Republic of Moldova and not only,” she stated.
The ODIP members said their request will be transmitted to state institutions. Consultations will be initiated with teachers, jurists and other specialists so that these pronounce on the opportunity of this desideratum. The young people also plan to launch a broad signature collection campaign in support of these reforms.
