It is the local issues that have the greatest impact on people’s everyday lives. Nevertheless, fewer people vote in municipal council and county council elections than in parliamentary elections, according to Statistics Norway. This is also despite the fact that more people have the opportunity to vote. There are new local elections in the autumn, and Ismail Niyomugabo is looking forward to finally being able to vote. She could not do that in the general election because she does not have Norwegian citizenship, but citizenship is not a requirement in local elections. – I will vote for the first time. It’s fantastic, says Niyomugabo with a big smile on his face. Who has the right to vote in municipal council and county council elections? To have the right to vote in municipal council and county council elections, you must: Norwegian citizens: Be, or have been, a registered resident in Norway Have reached the age of 18 by the end of the election year Not have lost the right to vote according to § 53 of the Constitution. Nordic citizens: Be a registered resident in Norway no later than 30 June in the election year Have turned 18 by the end of the election year Not have lost the right to vote according to section 53 of the Constitution. Other foreign citizens: Be registered resident in Norway for the last three years before election day Have turned 18 by the end of the election year Not have lost the right to vote according to the Constitution § 53. Source: Elections Act Kaltouma Yahia has recently obtained Norwegian citizenship, but has nevertheless lived in Norway long enough for her to have voted in this year’s local elections. The right to vote is something she greatly values. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Never heard of the right to vote until Kaltouma Yahia, who moved from Sudan to Norway, will also vote for the first time. – The first time I even heard about voting rights, freedom and equality was in Norway, says the 34-year-old. But neither Yahia nor Niyomugabo, who are students at Molde Adult Education Centre, know what they will vote for yet. Yahia finds it difficult to find information about the different parties. – The Center Party, SV, the Labor Party and the Conservative Party… There are many different things. It is difficult for me to know what to vote for, says Yahia. – Should invite politicians here Fortunately, there are still a few months until the election, so the pupils have time to learn more. And in mid-August, elective teaching starts at school. Bjørn Audun Bye is one of the teachers at Molde Adult Education Centre. The vast majority of his students find it very exciting and interesting, but also difficult. Bjørn Audun Bye, general subject teacher at Molde adult education centre, is looking forward to getting started with the optional teaching. And perhaps this time they will invite politicians to contribute. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news The teacher explains that it is particularly challenging to provide information about the various politicians who stand for election. – Perhaps we should be better at inviting politicians here to the school so they can introduce themselves, and talk about what the parties stand for. Niyomugabo also wants that. She finds it difficult to find out what the different candidates stand for. – It would have been better for me if they could have come and presented it to us, says the 22-year-old. Differences in the municipalities That you can vote and get involved politically is a matter of course for many. But Local Government and District Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp) says you have to remember that it is not necessarily like that for those who have moved here from another country. That is why it is important to reach out to everyone with information about the election and the right to vote: – I hope we can provide good information about that. Among other things, the Norwegian Electoral Directorate has an important task, but for which of course the individual municipality also has a great deal of responsibility. Wants to go to adult education Torgeir Dahl (H), mayor of Molde municipality, agrees that as a politician you should be better at going out and meeting those who are going to vote. But he says it is just as important to also meet those who do not have the right to vote yet. Photo: Roar Strøm / news – It is a piece of social knowledge that is important for everyone in Norway to understand, says the mayor. He says he himself has previously given speeches about elections and democracy, and precisely how politicians should engage and inform the people about themselves as a candidate and one’s party. – Are you considering taking a trip to adult education? – Yes, I absolutely do! It is interesting to hear what views they have. And then we notice that they are often surprised by how accessible we politicians are in relation to our citizens. Ismail Niyomugabo and Kaltouma Yahia are both looking forward to using their right to vote in this year’s local elections. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Yahia is looking forward to voting, but is clear about one thing: – First I have to get information, then I can vote, says the 34-year-old.
ttn-69
Fewer votes in municipal and county council elections, but more can vote – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
