Young Voters show support for Moray SNP Candidate Richard Lochhead.

(Photograph) Young voter Caitlin Croft from Keith signs Richard's nomination papers.

Moray SNP Candidate Richard Lochhead Handed in his nomination papers to Moray Council on Monday before Fridays deadline.

The SNP's Candidate for Moray was met by 16 and 17 year old voters who will be voting for the very first time thanks to an SNP government who gave voting rights to 16-17 year old's for the first time in the 2014 independents referendum.

All of the young voters who greeted Mr Lochhead will also be voting for him and the SNP in this year's Scottish Election.

Standing on the steps outside the council building was 16 year old Erin Ralph.

Erin said:

"I am very excited to be voting for the first time. At 16 we can leave school, pay tax, get married or join the armed forces, if we are old enough to do all that, it is right that we have a say in our country's future. I will be voting SNP because I believe in a society that looks after all the people in it, people with disabilities for example. I am against nuclear weapons and believe that wasting money on Trident is wrong when there are many people in our own country who need help, for example we could build more houses that people could afford. I also work in a chemist shop part time and see for myself the benefits of free Prescriptions."

Another young voter outside the council building was Callum Morris.

Callum left School last year and is Currently working part time until he goes to university.

Callum said:

"The payment of student fees by the Scottish Government gives young people an equal opportunity to continue to further education. And it is one which is looked upon with envy by the rest of the world."

Also 16 year old Caitlin Croft, who is part of the KGS team that was awarded a commended certificate at the recent Moray Young Citizen of the Year Awards, said:

"It is really exciting that 16 and 17 year olds get to vote in this election. We can pay tax, join the armed forces and get married - it's only right that we should be able to vote and it's thanks to the SNP that we are getting this opportunity. I hope that loads of folk take up the chance to vote.

"Richard has been a great champion for Moray and I am very excited that I will be able to vote for him to represent us for the next five years."

Commenting Richard Lochhead said:

“I feel very privileged to have been MSP for Moray for the past ten years. This is a such a great place to live and work and I am once again asking the people of Moray to place their trust in me to represent them in the next Scottish Parliament.

"The SNP has a very strong record of delivering for the people of Moray. Since the election of an SNP Government in 2007 we have seen unprecedented investment in public services and local infrastructure and there's much more in the pipeline.

"We have seen new and refurbished schools, flood schemes, new health facilities, over 3000 new homes, the Fochabers/Mosstodloch bypass and so the list goes on.

"And now we are seeing the beginning of transformational improvements to the A96 and A9 and local rail services. It has also been encouraging to see the success of our local food and drink sector goes from strength to strength.

"We know there is more to do especially given tough family budgets and that's why the council tax freeze, free prescriptions and free bus travel for the elderly continue to be so important.

"Other parties can snipe from the sidelines or make wild promises but the SNP has a proven track record locally and nationally and the vision to carry on making Moray an even better place to live and work."

Commenting further Mr Lochhead said:

"I am delighted that 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in this election thanks to the SNP Scottish Government. This is something I have pushed for over many years and it is great to see young people being part of the political process. I would urge all folk that are 16 and 17 to make sure they are registered by logging on to www.votemoray.org so that they can vote for the first ever time in a parliamentary election on 5th May and help choose the next Scottish Government."