Record number of schools register for Mock Elections - 21 Feb, 2005

Over 600 schools sign up for Hansard Society Mock Elections in first 10 days

www.mockelections.co.uk

Schools signing up to take part in the Y Vote 2005 Mock Elections have broken all previous records, indicating once again that young people do feel strongly about political issues that affect them.

The Y Vote 2005 Mock Elections, run by the Hansard Society and supported by The Electoral Commission and the Department for Education and Skills, was launched earlier this month and is attracting great interest from both primary and secondary schools throughout the UK.

Mock elections have been run by the Hansard Society since the 1950s, with the aim of actively engaging students with the electoral process. Over the next few weeks, pupils nationwide will learn about the political, social and moral issues of the world by standing as party candidates, speech writers and canvassers in a mock election.

Michael Raftery, Mock Elections Project Manager at the Hansard Society said:

"The Y Vote Mock Elections for schools mirror the excitement and buzz of a real election, raising awareness of Citizenship, and the benefits of active democracy. They enable students to fully participate, from standing as party candidates, writing speeches and canvassing support, to building ballot boxes and designing campaign posters. Mock elections are a great way to help students understand how the democratic process works. We're delighted that so many schools have registered so quickly - let's hope it's indicative of a record turn out!"

For further information contact: Michael Raftery on 020 7395 4019 or email citizenship@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

• The Hansard Society has developed a comprehensive teacher resource pack - downloadable at www.mockelections.co.uk - which can be interpreted according to the level of students' understanding of the political process. The pack contains teachers' notes and supporting materials, including a step-by-step guide to the mock elections, ballot papers and registration forms, activity ideas, manifesto guides to all the political parties represented at Westminster, and key curriculum links.
• The Hansard Society is an independent, non-partisan educational charity which exists to promote effective parliamentary democracy. It works with young people through schools and colleges to develop innovative ways to involve them in participatory democratic activities.
• The Electoral Commission is an independent body established by UK Parliament. It aims to ensure public confidence and participation in the democratic process within the United Kingdom through modernisation of the electoral process and promotion of public awareness of electoral matters.