In the July 4 General Election, there will be a large group of First Timers – 18-year-olds who will be exercising their democratic right for the very first time.
As part of iVOTE’s ‘First Timers’ segment, iGlobal reached out to young British Indian teenagers across different parts of the country who are excited about this milestone. The aspect that stands out as a common thread is the sense of hope and optimism that they all reflect and also a determination to ensure their voices are heard.
Climate change and environmental issues were cited by almost all of them as among the crunch issues that would help them make up their mind about which party and candidate deserves their valuable vote. With most of them at the stage of completing their A-Levels and getting ready for a new university chapter in their lives, the election in just five weeks’ time comes at a very crucial phase in their academic and career journey. Understandably then, education and jobs were among some of the other criteria that were at the forefront of their minds.
At its core, the aim of the iVOTE ‘First Timers’ campaign is to highlight the importance of making the diaspora voice count and register in time before the June 18 registration deadline for the July 4 General Election.
Voting is a fundamental right that empowers individuals to shape the future of their nation. The registration process is simple and can be done easily online. To vote in the UK, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:
You must be at least 18 years old
A British citizen
A citizen of the Republic of Ireland
OR a citizen of a Commonwealth country with the right to reside in the UK
Another key factor to bear in mind is that Indian nationals who are resident in the UK at the time of the election are eligible to vote, which will include many First Timers among the Indian students enrolled in the UK.
*Info: Register to Vote
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