Summary:

Voting is obligatory in Argentina for people aged 18 to 70, but as of next year it will also be optional for those aged 16 and 17.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20164573

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[1 November 2012] - Argentina's Congress has approved a law to lower the voting age to 16, in a move that will take effect for key mid-term elections next year.

President Cristina Fernandez has courted the youth vote and critics say the change is designed to boost her party's chances in the 2013 polls.

Supporters of the move say it will widen political participation.

Voting is obligatory in Argentina for people aged 18 to 70, but will be optional for those aged 16 and 17.

The long and bitter session saw deputies trade accusations and most of the opposition walk out before the measure was put to the vote. 

In the end, the bill, which had already passed in the Senate, was approved by 131 votes to two.

More than one million 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote.

"It is a very important initiative because it expands the frontier of rights," said Agustin Rossi, head of the governing bloc in the Chamber of Deputies.
 

Long-term plans?

Supporters of the change argued that young people deserved the chance to participate in decisions affecting Argentina.

Critics have said the change is designed to increase support for President Fernandez's party in the 2013 legislative elections, with the ultimate aim of allowing her to run again for the presidency.

Ms Fernandez has a majority in both houses of Congress but would need the support of two-thirds of legislators to change the constitution to allow her to seek a third term.

She has not commented publicly on any such plans.

Across Latin America, the voting age is generally 18 but in some countries, including Brazil, Ecuador and Nicaragua, citizens can vote from age 16. 

 

Further Information: 

• CRIN FACTFILE: Children and the right to vote
• WALES: Govt backs lowering of voting age (11 July 2012) 
• CANADA: Excluding youth from electoral count (18 April 2012) 
• GERMANY: Youth invited to cast vote in state elections (25 May 2011)
• AFRICA: Why voting age should be lowered to 18 (10 February 2011) 
• NORWAY: Children's Ombudsman calls for lower voting age (23 August 2007)
• UNITED STATES: Top ten reasons to lower voting age (8 September 2006)
• RIGHT TO VOTE: Children's rights mean citizens' rights
• CRIN's issue page on children and participation
• More on children's rights in Argentina

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Last updated 01/11/2012 11:48:20

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.

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Your Feedback

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kapila gureja wrote on 01/11/2012:
It’s a great move towards building a culture of equality. Young people are ready to shoulder the responsibilities.