Get set for Young Mayor elections » Communities » 24dash.com

Young people who live, work or study in Newham are getting ready to find the borough's next Young Mayor.

Aspiring candidates, who must be aged from 11 to 18, have until Friday, September 19 to get their nomination forms in, to be in with a chance of representing their peers on issues that matter to them, such as education, jobs and crime.

Last year, thousands took part in the election process, and with a 40 per cent turnout, elected Zuhayb Ahmed, who was 16 years-old at the time, to be Newham's first Young Mayor.

Zuhayb said: "Becoming Young Mayor was a great opportunity that I'd recommend to anyone, although it's not easy. I had to juggle my personal and professional commitments around the role and there's immense responsibility in representing the interests of thousands of young people to the Mayor, councillors, businesses and the community. But you're not alone; I had the support of the Youth Council and Deputy Young Mayor Hamid Sheikh.

"With such a young and diverse population it's important to represent everyone's views and that means getting out and about, meeting young people and listening to their ideas and opinions - it's not what you want personally but what's best for young people in Newham."

Nomination forms have been distributed to secondary schools, colleges, Connexions Shops, libraries and Local Service Centres across Newham.

The form plus more information is also available from website www.newham.gov.uk/youngmayor, by calling 020 8430 2107 or email: youngmayor@newham.gov.uk

Voting takes place on October 22 and 23 and the results will be announced on October 23 at Newham Town Hall, East Ham.