Hello everyone. I hope everyone is doing well.
I am the deputy director of an employability organization that assists young people aged 16 to 35 years. We help over 3,000 people in the region every year. We provide them with guidance in their individual and group activities. I am responsible for leading activities relating to the voting system. Explaining a voting system to young people between the ages of 18 and 35 is not easy. It takes me an hour and a half to explain the issues and objectives to them, how it works, using diagrams. Our voting system is archaic and outmoded. Young people want to be involved in and understand politics. When I ask them which of them voted in the last election, it is always one person out of five.
After my workshop, when I explain the platforms and parties to them, and members of Parliament come to meet with them, they are able to talk about politics and understand it. I am here representing these young people and an organization. I will therefore not tell you what voting system we want to see. Instead, I will tell you that young people want to be heard. When they go out to vote and get involved in the process, they want to feel that their participation counts for something.
Personally, I would adopt proportional voting. I will let young people choose for themselves. I would certainly also agree with a referendum on the voting system, to get young people to participate.
I am prepared to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you.