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UBP invite youth to open mic session

Young voters of Bermuda have again been invited to question politicians but this time it's the Opposition that have organised the event.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown has already held two Open Mic sessions where young voters were invited to ask him about his Government's policies and comments he has made.

Tonight voters can ask Opposition leader Michael Dunkley questions at an Open Mic session which will be held at the Swizzle Inn in Warwick.

The event was organised by the youth wing of the United Bermuda Party but the members hope that young voters affiliated with either party, and those that are sitting on the fence, will attend.

Nineteen-year-old Alisha Gabriel is chairwoman of the event and she said the group of six people really wanted to give people a chance to learn more about politics, the party and the politicians.

Alisha, who is studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, said: "It's really important for people to listen to what both parties have to say and then make a decision.

"Even though this is a UBP event it has been organised by the youth and for the youth with the help of Senator Gina Spence Farmer.

"She has done a lot with young people in Bermuda and realised that they would benefit from an opportunity to meet with politicians and learn about our politician system."

Alisha added that there would be detailed information on how to become registered to vote and said they especially hoped people living in the Warwick constituencies would attend.

Sen. Spence-Farmer, who is running as the UBP candidate for Warwick North East in the next election, said she would be on hand at the meeting to listen to young people's concerns, explain how they can vote and describe politicians' responsibilities to the electorate.

"I'm there to listen, to address the issues and to certainly give my plan for Warwick and young people," she said. "I want to know what they think are some of the solutions that would work."

She said she had been meeting with the committee behind the open mic night for the last three weeks.

"Their questions have been as basic as: 'what's the election process? Don't assume every single person knows what to do'. So we are going to do a voters' registration '101' from beginning to end so they have all the information."

She added: "I find it very encouraging that they have organised this.

"We hear so much about young people not registering (to vote) and not being interested or a part of the process. I'm excited about this."

The first political Open Mic session aimed at young voters started after Dr. Brown received a request for such an event on his Facebook account. Facebook is an online community which is popular among students and young professionals worldwide. Recently it has also been used by US and Bermudian politicians.

The event is taking place at the Swizzle Inn at Warwick from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.