WELCOME FOR HEALTH BOARD ELECTION PILOTS.

WELCOME FOR HEALTH BOARD ELECTION PILOTS.

Tricia Marwick MSP for Central Fife has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government that NHS Fife will be one of the two pilots for the first ever direct health board elections. The announcement was also welcomed by the SNP's youth wing - Young Scots for Independence - since, in a UK and Scottish first, 16 and 17-year-olds will have the right to stand and vote in such elections.

Earlier this year Parliament unanimously backed a pilot scheme to take place in two health board areas. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today revealed that NHS Fife and NHS Dumfries and Galloway are the two that have been chosen .

The pilot elections will take place in spring 2010 and run for at least two years before an independent evaluation. The election will be carried out as all-postal ballots with votes on a Singe Transferable Vote basis to make sure every vote cast counts. It will mean that the majority of health board members are now elected.

Welcoming the pilot in Fife Mrs Marwick said:

“I am delighted that NHS Fife will be one of the two health authorities in the country chosen to pilot the first ever direct health board elections.

“Elected health boards are a major boost for democracy and will allow people across Fife to have their say on how their local health authority is run. I would urge residents across Fife to participate in these elections next year to ensure their voice is heard.

“I am also pleased that young people in Fife aged 16 and 17 will be able to participate in the health board elections. I have consistently called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 and these elections will give our young people their first taste of the democratic process.”

Commenting on the votes for 16 and 17 years olds the Convener of the Young Scots for Independence Councillor David McDonald said:

"This is great news for Scotlands young people. The YSI along with the SNP have fought long and hard for 16 and 17 year olds to have the right to vote I am confident that we will not have to wait long to see the voting age dropped to 16 for all elections.

"Lowering the voting age will give young people a more direct link with our elected representatives. Hopefully this will mean more interest in politics as well as giving Scotland's young adults an appetite for voting.

"I am pleased that an SNP Government will oversee this historic occasion, the first in the United Kingdom."