A plan to lower the voting age in Bahrain from 21 to 18 years was announced last night.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa revealed it during a meeting with more than 1,000 youths who answered his call to take part in a youth dialogue.

He told them at Muharraq Sports Club, Arad, that His Majesty King Hamad supported proposals to lower the voting age.

'The idea was welcomed by His Majesty. It only highlights the confidence the leadership has in the kingdom's youngsters towards building a better future for Bahrain.

'This dialogue will enhance their ability to support the country's development.'

The 'Youth Voice' was open to all young Bahrainis. It was announced by Shaikh Nasser during an interview with Bahrain TV last week.

He issued the call as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, spearheads a push for a national dialogue.

The aim was to give the young a chance to share their ideas and suggestions, which could be turned into demands and submitted as part of the national dialogue.

The event focused on six subjects: unemployment, education, health, involving young people in decision making, the economy and improving living standards.

Every participant was asked to fill out six forms, each covering one subject, with their comments, suggestions and demands that could help Bahrain move forward from its current political impasse.

They will be compiled into a final draft that will be presented by Shaikh Nasser to His Majesty.

'I pledge to personally take all the demands to His Majesty to be included in the national dialogue,' he said. 'They represent what the youths want.'

Participants included Sunnis and Shi'ites from across the kingdom. Former MP Sami Al Buhairi, former Northern Municipal Council chairman Yousif Al Buri and officials from youth and sports clubs attended.

Some demands raised during the event included implementing annual salary increases for young employees in all sectors, increasing basic salaries in the public sector and establishing centres dedicated to meeting the needs of young people.

There were also calls for sports academies, efforts to increase awareness about young people's rights and how they can be involved in decision making, immediate recruitment of medical graduates in government hospitals and increases in training allowances for medical graduates.

Other suggestions were a national institute for scientific research dedicated to youth, more scholarships for high achievers, the fast-tracking of housing projects and a marriage fund.

The event did not open the floor for political discussion, with organisers saying that came within the realms of the national dialogue.-TradeArabia News Service