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Alex Salmond to Propose Lowering Voting Age in Scotland: Reports

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Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to call for a decrease in voting age allowing individuals 16-years old and up to vote in future elections, The Guardian reported Tuesday.

EDINBURGH, September 23 (RIA Novosti) - Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to call for a decrease in voting age allowing individuals 16-years old and up to vote in future elections, The Guardian reported Tuesday.

"Scots delivered their verdict on the SNP's independence plans at the ballot box, but we know that a vote to remain part of the UK family is not a vote against change," Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The proposition will be discussed during the first meeting at Holyrood since Scotland voted against secession from the United Kingdom on September 18. A two day debate will be scheduled following Salmond's statement on the proceedings. In addition to Rennie, talks will include Labour leader Johann Lamont, Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish National Party's (SNP) Nicola Sturgeon.

"The Liberal Democrat vision of radical reform towards a federal UK is now top of the political agenda. This is a chance of a lifetime to deliver the change that the majority of people wish to see: a stronger Scotland within the United Kingdom," Rennie was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"I hope that the nationalists will put their disappointment over the referendum to one side and work with us to deliver this important change," he added.

Discussions are to center around the future of Scotland with a particular focus on unionist parties to deliver devolution pledges.

Salmond announced he would step down as SNP's leader and First Minister of Scotland following the Scottish referendum decision on September 19. Scots voted against independence by 55 percent to 45 percent.

Two online petitions have been created as a response to the "No" vote demanding a recount. Some 140,000 people have signed the petitions so far requesting an investigation into the votes deciding Scottish independence.

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