Election 2016: Feb 26th is the date to start the revolution

The Union of Students in Ireland added almost 10,000 names to the Register of Electors before the Marriage Equality Referendum in May of last year.  

Never before have I seen such a strong stance from such a large group of students in this country.

Students registered, they campaigned, they voted and they celebrated.

The youth of this country proved that when they invest in an idea and work hard to achieve it, results will be seen.

Here we are, mere weeks away from a General Election unlike any other I have seen, too unpredictable to call.

Some months ago, I conducted a quick vox-pop around college to measure attitudes towards the election.

Twelve per cent of those I asked had no clue that an election was due. More did not know what constituency they were in and most couldn't care less about it.

Why is this? Is it because young people feel like they don't have a voice or no one will care what they think?

Just look at the outcome of the Marriage Equality Referendum. That was largely down to the efforts of the youth of Ireland. The country listened and the country responded. If a young person voted in that referendum then I don't accept that they don't think anyone will care what they think.

Students were so passionate about an issue that was to have such a major impact on the future of some so why not now when the election outcome will affect the future of all?

It was frustrating to listen to the talk on campus after Budget 2016 was announced.

"Students were completely ignored" and this thinking of "sure the Government don't care about us".

Well, the next few weeks is the time to change that. Candidates are going from door to door asking what they can do for their constituents. All a person has to do is tell them what they want from their Government and voilà, their opinion is heard.

For many students, politics conjures images of intimidating men in expensive suits, making important decisions in far-off Dublin and sometimes it can be hard to see how it all filters down to impact their daily lives.

Politics needs to be more accessible to the ordinary citizens.  

In reality, the political system in Ireland is aimed at an elite group and the rest of us stumble around in the dark trying to make sense of it all. The Government and those hoping to be in power must take note. But, for that to happen there needs to be an effort, a commitment and an interest shown by young people.

February 26th is the date to start that revolution. Talk to the candidates, give them your opinions and use your vote. People fought and died so that we would have the right to vote.

It shouldn't be squandered.