Schools are being urged to hold their own mock elections to educate students about the importance of local democracy.
As part of Local Democracy Week, October 12 to 16, Neath Port Talbot Council has put together elections packs, which are available to download from www.npt.gov.uk/voting to help schools organise their own elections.
St Joseph’s and Blaengwrach Primary Schools as well as Melin Infants School have already made use of the packs and Creunant Primary School is holding elections next week.
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Ali Thomas, said the authority’s aim is to raise awareness of local democracy and council services.
“The local democracy campaign is about engaging young people and raising their awareness of the importance of voting,” he said.
“It is about promoting active citizenship, good communications between local councilors and their communities and helping to identify issues which effect the youth of today.
“Getting young people involved in local democracy is crucial. After all they are the future of Neath Port Talbot.”
Included in the packs are guidance notes for teachers, voter registration forms, candidate nominations forms, polling cards, notice of elections, official ballot papers and election result tables.
To find out more about Local Democracy Week log on to www.localdemocracy.org.uk
