What is the minimum voting age around the world and what reducing it could mean for Bangladesh

One of the key electoral reforms proposed by the National Citizen Party will be lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.

This was disclosed at a briefing by NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar today (22 March).

The issue – a prickly one – was brought up before.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in December suggested that the minimum voter age should be 17.

At the time, the BNP reacted, saying the chief adviser's suggestion had sparked controversy, as it could delay the election process since new voters would have to be added and new voter identity cards would need to be issued.

Now that the issue is back in the headlines, the question is, would lowering the voting age help or hinder the electoral process?

How the world votes

The voting age of 18 is still the dominant age.

It is the minimum voting age practised around the world – in 202 countries to be exact.

Only 10 countries have a minimum voting age of 16, while four have it set at 17.

On the other hand, the highest minimum voting age is 25, which is practised by the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE is easily an anomaly, but it should be noted that it doesn't function like other democracies.

The country has held four elections for its Federal National Council (FNC) since introducing a limited electoral process in 2006.

It also does not hold general elections for leadership positions like the President or Prime Minister. Instead, the rulers of each emirate elect the President and Vice President. The Federal National Council (a consultative body) is partially elected and plays an advisory role rather than having legislative power.

Bangladesh's scenario, on the other hand, is different.

It is perhaps even more unique now. The Gen Z played a creditable role during the July Uprising, which eventually deposed Sheikh Hasina.

Being given the right to exercise their franchise would of course be up for discussion given their role.

But how young is too young when it comes to voting age?

The benefits and drawbacks

One of the main arguments in favour of a higher voting age, such as 25 in the UAE, is that it ensures a more mature and informed electorate.

Older voters generally have more life experience, financial independence, and political awareness, which can contribute to more thoughtful and responsible decision-making.

For instance, in countries like Japan and Germany, where political stability is highly valued, voters tend to be older on average, and political participation is often driven by economic and social concerns rather than fleeting trends.

In contrast, countries with lower voting ages, such as Brazil (where 16-year-olds can vote), sometimes see younger voters swayed by short-term populist promises, which can lead to unpredictable election outcomes.

By ensuring that voters have a stronger grasp of national priorities and governance structures, a higher voting age may contribute to a more stable and informed electoral process.

Another key advantage of a higher voting age is the stability it brings to governance.

A more mature electorate reduces the risks of populist influences and emotionally driven voting patterns, ensuring that political decisions align with long-term national interests rather than short-term sentiments.

For example, in the United Kingdom's Brexit referendum, a significant portion of young voters – who had a high turnout in favour of remaining in the European Union – later expressed regret or admitted they had not fully understood the long-term consequences of their choice.

Similarly, in Thailand, where the voting age is 18, youth-led protests have increasingly influenced political discourse, leading to instability and frequent government transitions.

By contrast, countries like Singapore, which maintain strict governance models and emphasise long-term planning, benefit from a politically engaged yet measured electorate.

A higher voting age could ensure that those casting votes have had time to engage with national policies in a meaningful way, supporting continuity in governance and sustainable development.

On the other hand, one of the main drawbacks of a higher voting age, such as 25 in the UAE, is that it excludes a large segment of young, engaged citizens from the political process.

Many young people are deeply affected by government policies, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and housing, yet they have no electoral voice to influence these decisions. In countries where the voting age is 18, such as the United States and France, young voters have played a crucial role in shaping policies related to climate change, digital rights, and social justice.

For example, in the 2020 US presidential election, youth voter turnout was historically high, significantly influencing the outcome in key states.

By restricting voting to older citizens, a country risks alienating younger generations, reducing their sense of political responsibility, and delaying their engagement with governance.

Another major disadvantage of a higher voting age is that it reduces overall political participation and may create a system where only a select group of people influence national policies.

In most democracies, expanding the electorate is seen as a way to strengthen representation and legitimacy.

Countries like Argentina and Scotland have even lowered their voting age to 16 in an effort to encourage civic engagement from an early age.

When young people are included in the voting process, they are more likely to develop a lifelong habit of political participation, contributing to a more dynamic and representative democracy.

In contrast, limiting voting rights to those above 25 could lead to voter apathy among younger generations, who may feel disconnected from the political system and less inclined to participate even when they become eligible.

This could weaken long-term civic engagement and reduce overall trust in governance.

The science and our rights

Voting is a fundamental way through which citizens shape governments that serve them, Unicef has said.

Major human rights treaties guarantee voting rights through "universal and equal" suffrage, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article.

It is important to note that human rights instruments do not set age cut-offs for voting and the rights must be fulfilled "without distinction of any kind" based on personal characteristics or status, including age.

Differential treatment, to not amount to discrimination, must have a "reasonable and objective" basis, according to international law; if the evolved capacities of a child match those of an adult, the franchise exclusion may be questioned.

While not specifically mentioning the right to vote, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recognises the child's right to express his or her views freely in "all matters affecting the child", adding that those views be given due weight, in accordance with their age and maturity.

The Convention also enshrines a number of civil and political rights, which should supplement and not replace rights embodied in earlier agreements.

While there is debate about the relationship between adolescent development and the capacity to make decisions in certain environments (such as in high-pressure or emotionally charged conditions), a significant proportion of scientists in the neurodevelopmental field have argued that lowering the voting age is in line with current evidence around adolescent brain development.

A considerable number of experts also assert that a 16-year-old has sufficient cognitive and critical thinking capacities to make political decisions independently.

The disinformation influence is another issue.

Some experts suggest older voters are more likely to share fake news domains compared with younger voters.

At the same time, Unicef research shows that children reported feeling unable to judge the veracity of the information they encounter online.

While lowering the voting age to 16 would offer opportunities to advance the civil and political rights of children, it comes with a caveat: promoting 16 as the minimum voting age could trigger a debate about a reduction in child protection thresholds.

It would be important to ensure that lowering the voting age is not equated to a justification for lowering other thresholds.