Pupils at Bagillt’s Ysgol Merllyn Primary School go to the polls as part of their annual ‘general election’ day.

Local Member of the Senedd, Hannah Blythyn, visted Ysgol Merllyn to see democracy in action as primary school students went to the polls to vote in their ‘general election’.

Pupils from nursery onwards were eligible to vote for their preferred candidate for Prime Minister on the day and the voting process was overseen by volunteer polling officers from Year 6. One of the students even carried out an exit poll as ‘voters’ left the classroom that was set up as a polling station.

Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“It’s brilliant to see students of all ages so engaged and enthused by the initiative and the school’s effort is a great example of how to get youngsters involved in democratic participation.

I look forward to meeting with the newly-elected Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister – Wiktoria and Noah – and all members of the Ysgol Merllyn Parliament.

Candidates had been able to canvass for support and quizzed in their pledges by fellow students in the run up to the election and on polling day.

Ysgol Merllyn contacted Hannah to announce the result of the election which saw Wiktoria and Noah being elected as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and a new parliament being formed.

The newly elected Prime Minister, Wiktoria said she is “excited to take on the challenge of Prime Minister”. With Deputy Prime Minister, Noah, adding “together with Wiktoria and the new Parliament, and I’m looking forward to putting all their new ideas into action.”

The Member of the Senedd for Delyn has been a regular supporter of Ysgol Merllyn’s general election day and is keen to promote young people getting involved with democracy from an early age.

Hannah Blythyn added:

“I’ve really enjoyed supporting the school’s work in this area over a number of years and I look forward to hopefully welcoming them to the Senedd in the future.”