I am 18, where's my vote?

The Workers’ Party Youth Wing (WPYW) is initiating a nationwide campaign calling for a lowering of the legal voting age from 21 years old to 18 years old.

The Workers’ Party Youth Wing is of the view that lowering the voting age is the just, fair and constructive way to set things straight and constitute another avenue where their commitment to this nation can be expressed. Just as the Workers’ Party is a pro-Singapore entity, the lowering of the legal voting age to 18 is a pro-Singapore initiative.

The Workers’ Party Youth Wing would like to further highlight the basis for its call:

1. Fair Treatment towards 18-year-olds
Young Singaporeans can start pursing a life of choice and freedom at the age of 18. They are legally allowed to drive, join a political party, invest in the Singapore Stock Exchange, start a business and be charged as a non-minor for certain legal offences. Most male Singaporeans are given assault rifles and taught to fight for their country at 18. Yet, they have been denied the right to vote for their national representatives who will determine their lives in Singapore.

2. Youth Representation & Participation currently insufficient
Lowering the voting age will compel national leaders and politicians to look more seriously into the issues that affect youths in society. Lowering the voting age will lead to meaningful participation in the national discourse. Lowering the voting age will provide them with a direct, constructive, meaningful and democratic channel for expressing their views on national issues.

3. Young Singaporeans can vote well
Intelligence or maturity should not be the basis upon which the right to vote is granted. If that is the case, all voters would need to pass a test before voting, and lack of education or information about election issues is not a basis for withholding the vote from 18 years old.

4. Providing intrinsic benefits to the lives of young Singaporeans
Granting young Singaporeans the right to vote will have a direct effect on their sense of responsibility and commitment to this nation. Singapore and its leaders must believe in the rights and good sense of its young to serve their fellow citizens in the realm of politics. Given the proper education, young Singaporeans will be able to perform this sacred duty to the nation and their future with respect and integrity.

5. There are no wrong votes
Young Singaporeans will vote well. It is silly to fear that huge masses of young Singaporeans will rush to the voting booth and unwittingly vote irresponsibly. Noting that they are likely to vote well, is it at all possible for a voter to vote wrongly? There is no test for voter maturity and age is certainly not a guarantee of wisdom or maturity. All voters have their own reasons for voting, we may disagree with their reasons, but we must respect their right to make a decision. This is what we must do with our young.