Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill

# Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill The Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill addresses the question of who should be eligible to vote in a future referendum on Scottish independence. This legislation became necessary because there was no agreed legal framework governing the voting eligibility rules for such a referendum, and different stakeholders held varying views on whether the franchise should match that used in Scottish Parliament elections, UK Parliament elections, or adopt some other approach. The bill seeks to establish clarity on this important constitutional matter before any referendum is held. The bill proposes that the franchise for a Scottish independence referendum should be extended to all persons registered on the Scottish electoral register, including non-UK citizens resident in Scotland (such as EU and other international citizens) who are eligible to vote in local elections. This represents a broader franchise than the one used in the 2014 independence referendum and reflects the Scottish Parliament's view that those affected by independence should have a say in its outcome. The bill's current status and progress through Parliament would determine whether these provisions have been enacted into law or whether they remain under consideration.

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