The seventh Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets announced

The new Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets: Deng Yan san. Pic: Tower Hamlets Council

The new Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets: Deng Yan san. Pic: Tower Hamlets Council

Deng Yan San has been elected the seventh Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

The Young Mayor is elected every two years and represents the 11-18 year-olds across the borough.

After the result was announced yesterday, San said: “Our team will hit the ground running and we will help this borough shine… I will work my utmost hardest to make sure I can fulfill all the promises I have made and even more.”

The roles of a Young Mayor include chairing conferences, hosting events and having the chance to take part in various debates at the House of Commons.

The election was held across the borough in schools and youth centres. This year, a total of 10,775 votes were cast for 14 candidates.

San’s victory was secured with 2,633 votes. Two young deputies in the form of Shofiqul Alom and Monsur Ali will support her.

 

 

The Young Mayor Team - Shofiqul Deng and Monsur. Pic: Tower Hamlets Council

The Young Mayor Team – Shofiqul Deng and Monsur. Pic: Tower Hamlets Council

There was a 71 per cent turnout in the vote for Tower Hamlets Young Mayor compared to the 44 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 who voted in the 2010 general election.

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “This year we saw a 71 per cent turnout which demonstrates the success of engaging our young people with politics and local democracy.”

Students currently attending a secondary school in Tower Hamlets were automatically added to the young mayor’s electoral register. Young people aged 11-17 who didn’t study in a Tower Hamlets school had to register to vote.

The campaign took place via social media platforms, local TV and in schools and youth centres. With a former turnout of only 59 per cent in 2013, the participation has increased successfully since the last election.

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