Election looms for young mayor

The successful candidate will act as a mouthpiece for young people's views in conferences, committees and in conversations with national and local decision-makers.
A field of 31 candidates was whittled down to the current number in online preliminary elections, where 6,386 votes were cast.

Election day in schools falls on January 20, but early bird voting will take place to accommodate those who do not study in the borough. The Idea Stores in Canary Wharf, Whitechapel, Chrisp Street and Bow will be open for voting between 6pm and 9pm on Monday and Wednesday, and will re-open between 3pm and 6pm on Friday (January 15).

Voters can also turn up at youth Clubs such as St Andrew's Wharf in Masthouse Terrace at this time.

The final roster of candidates features Ferdousi Rahman, Mizanur Rahman, Jahangir Alom, Landry Adelard, Zishan Ahmed, Sufia Alam, Hazira Begum, Masuma Begum, Ruma Begum, Tahmina Begum, Shah Hydar, Farhan Islam, Nazrul Islam, Fawziyah Islam and Tasmina Khanum. The winner will be inaugurated between 6pm and 8pm on January 21.

Councillor Abdul Asad, lead member for Children, Schools and Families at Tower Hamlets Council, said: "The fact that so many young people have put themselves forward for the role shows just how seriously they take it and how committed they are to making the lives of young people in the borough better."

More information about the election, including videos of candidate manifestos, can be found at www.amp.uk.net/youngmayor. To find out more about the Young Mayor programme, contact 07931 271519 or visit youngmayor@towerhamlets.gov.uk