Vella explained the importance of this event – beyond forming what is sure to be a deeply wholesome memory for its participants. 

“In as little as five years time, these kids will be voting. We went through the democratic process from start to finish. There were campaigns before the general election.” 

By putting themselves forward as electoral contenders, children at Bishop’s Conservatory showed a willingness to engage with a democratic process for its own sake. 

“We decided very early on to stress that the process was important, not the winner.”

Despite this, the headmaster also explained that the exercise demonstrated the importance of participating in elections as both candidate and voter.

“It was important to acknowledge those kids who campaigned as representatives of the other children, their classmates. These candidates carried a certain weight – with the support of the kids voting for them. In this process, everybody is involved and everybody is important.”

With the election complete, these children have been offered an opportunity to experience democracy before voting in national elections – a privilege many of us were never afforded. 

Five years since the passing of a law allowing 16 year olds to vote, some remain concerned about the voting power of young people.

Through school-age initiatives like these – seeking to empower future voters and teach them about the proper functioning of democracy – these children may soon be more well prepared to age-in to their vote than the rest of us ever were.

Tag someone who needs a boost to their civic duty