Bradford & District | Archive | 2005 | February | 04
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 4th Feb 2005.
More than 1,200 votes were cast for Keighley-constituency candidates in the district's youth parliament elections.
The six successful youngsters will now take their places alongside the 24 other candidates elected following the ballot, which in total polled 8,827 eligible votes.
The victorious Keighley contingent included Abnan Mehmood, a Greenhead School pupil, who at 11 is the youngest member of the new Bradford-Keighley Youth Parliament.
Others elected locally were Nazam Khan, 12, also of Greenhead; Gareth Bannister, 14, and Rebecca Whiteley, 13, both of Oakbank; Kiara Laughlin, 14, of Holy Family, and Mark Yardley, 16, of Beckfoot.
There were nine candidates in the constituency. Polling stations were set up at secondary schools, libraries and youth centres across the district, and youngsters were also able to vote on line or at a mobile unit.
Over 27,000 ballot papers were issued.
The count, carried out by around 50 young volunteers, took place at the Hilton Hotel in Bradford on Saturday.
Afterwards a party was held for all those involved in the campaign.
Youth Parliament's Norrina Rashid told us: "Hundreds of young people were involved in running the elections, from helping out at polling stations to handing out information, and they really got behind the project.
"I am absolutely delighted with how it all went. The atmosphere at Saturday's count was fantastic. I have helped at local election counts, and it was just the same. It was an exciting but nerve-racking experience for the candidates.
"After the announcement of the results council deputy leader Kris Hopkins congratulated everyone, and all those who won a seat had the chance to say a few words.
"It is a very young parliament compared to the last -- the youngest member is 11, there are a number in their early teens and the oldest is just 19."
Members met for the first time on Wednesday for a session examining their roles and responsibilities, and to sign agreements. They will undergo training, and on March 30 there will be a district-wide youth conference.
Based on topics raised by young people at the event, youth parliament members will draw-up an action plan to tackle three priority issues.
Anyone aged 11-21 will be invited to attend the conference, the venue for which is to be confirmed. Further details will be issued nearer the time, but anybody with enquiries meantime can phone 01274 432135 or 431849.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008