ELIN Jones AM has invited young people in Ceredigion between the age of 11 and 18 to sign up for the historic first ballot to be held in November, both as candidates and as voters.

Sixty members will make up Welsh Youth Parliament, and will empower young people to identify and raise awareness of the issues that matter to them.

Voter registration is officially open, and can be done via the new Welsh Youth Parliament’s website at www.youthparliament.wales

Potential candidates will be able to register their interest in standing for election from 3 September. The election itself will be electronic and open in November this year.

Elin Jones, who was joined in the Chamber of the National Assembly by former UK Youth Parliamentarians for Ceredigion, Nest Jenkins and Wil Rees, said: “I am hoping that many young people in Ceredigion from age 11 up to 18 will register to vote, use their voice and to help make the changes to improve their lives through a democratic forum which is being put in place here specifically to represent their needs.”

Wil said: “It was a privilege and honour to represent the youth of Ceredigion in the UK Youth Parliament, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to ensure that the voice of young people across our county was heard in Westminster.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the election of the first Youth Parliament for Wales because now it will be possible for the young people of Ceredigion to be heard by the Welsh Parliament."

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