Scots voting campaign is launched

The campaign aims to engage directly with voters

A campaign is being launched to try to persuade more people in Scotland to vote in next year's elections.

The turnout for the last Scottish parliamentary and local government elections was 49% - 10% lower than the previous elections in 1999.

The VoteScotland campaign - promoted through TV, newspapers and leaflets - has been set up by the Scottish Executive and the Electoral Commission.

An executive spokesman said it would be non-political, to educate and inform.

Scotland goes to the polls on 3 May, 2007 to elect MSPs and councillors in simultaneous elections for the Scottish Parliament and local government.

Voting is a chance to have your say on the things that matter to you and we hope VoteScotland will resonate with people all over Scotland Andy O'Neill Electoral Commission Scotland

As well as reminding voters of their power, the campaign will explain the proportional representation systems being used in both elections

A new website has information on how to register, how to vote and how the different voting systems work.

The campaign is aimed at all eligible voters and, in particular, will target under-registered voters and those less likely to vote, including young people, people from some ethnic minority communities and people who have moved house.

Registration call

VoteScotland aims to directly engage with people through work with community groups, organisations, companies and charities across Scotland.

Andy O'Neill, from the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: "Politics affects all aspects of our everyday lives, whether at home, at work or at leisure and our campaign aims to reflect this.

"Voting is a chance to have your say on the things that matter to you and we hope VoteScotland will resonate with people all over Scotland.

"We are calling on people to register now, and to make their vote count in six months time."