Ramsey Commissioners are drawing up plans to hold a mock election for pupils at Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

It’s to educate and inspire the young people of the town to engage with local politics in the the run-up to the 2020 local authority general elections.

The initiative was highlighted in a recent report compiled by the authority’s officers, aimed at boosting voter turnout.

Town clerk Peter Whiteway says mock elections will help the primary school pupils understand the development of policy, promotion of candidates and the process of election itself.

When a similar exercise was held previously, Mr Whiteway believes it prompted pupils to discuss issues facing Ramsey with parents and siblings.

As we reported last week, the local authority has drawn up an action plan to increase participation in elections after dismal turnouts last year.