Right to vote extended
Image credit: dun_deagh, Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dun_deagh/10253345204/in/album-72157627413379299/
The European Court of Human Rights has several times found that it is an infringement of ECHR rights for the UK to have blanket bans on all voting rights for prisoners. After an inquiry by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, the Scottish Parliament has now, for the first time, given the vote in Scottish and local elections to those with sentences of less than 12 months.
The new Bill also extends voting rights to all those lawfully resident in Scotland, including people granted refugee status. In addition, it means that those with indefinite leave to remain, and those with pre-settled status, can now be election candidates. Read more on this from the Scottish Refugee Council.