Opinion

Everyone should make their vote count

WHILE no one could claim that the past few weeks has produced the most exciting of campaigns, tomorrow is an important day, providing people with the chance to shape the next Stormont assembly.

That assembly will make far-reaching decisions on the economy, social issues, job creation, infrastructure, health and education - matters that impact on all of us to a greater or lesser degree.

Politics is a bruising trade and politicians are often criticised but anyone who puts themselves before the public, setting out their stall and asking for our votes, should be commended.

It is the people who vote for candidates and determine who will represent them. Those who take the time to visit a polling station can properly claim to have a stake in our devolved administration.

A key aspect of this election, which will be closely watched, is the voter turnout.

Unfortunately, recent elections have seen falling turnouts with little more than half the electorate coming out to vote.

The last assembly poll in 2011 saw a turnout of 54.5 per cent, a decline of almost eight percentage points from the previous Stormont election and a drop of over 15 percentage points from the first assembly election in 1998.

The European and local government elections in May 2014 attracted just over 51 per cent, which was an alarmingly low figure.

There was an improved picture for last year's Westminster poll - 58.4 per cent - which can be attributed to some closely fought seats.

Maintaining that sort of turnout tomorrow would be regarded as a positive sign but the concern is that a generally lacklustre campaign and - given the number of recent polls - perhaps an element of election fatigue might keep people at home.

That would be a real pity and a drop below 50 per cent would create difficulties in terms of the credibility of the Stormont assembly.

The Irish News traditionally does not tell its readers how to vote but we strongly encourage every eligible person to exercise their franchise.

In particular, there is a generation of young people just turned 18 who have lived their lives after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

This is their chance to give their verdict on Stormont, on the politicians taking decisions that will directly affect them and to send out a message about the sort of future they want to see.

Our system of democracy is not easy and it is certainly not perfect but the right to vote is a powerful thing.

We would urge all readers to participate in the democratic process and make their vote count.