GAELIC should be used alongside English on ballot papers in both Holyrood and local elections, the public body with responsibility for the language has said.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) said elections are a fundamental part of national life and said they were occasions in which “Gaelic and the English lanaguge should be given equal respect”.
It cited Wales as an example, where the Welsh language is used in publicity for elections and on the ballot papers for elections to the Senedd.
BnG made the comments in response to a Scottish Government consultation on electoral reform, which also looked into whether 16 and 17-year-olds should be able to stand for election.
The body said one means of increasing participation in elections would be to use Gaelic language materials in publicising them, adding: “This would encourage users and learners of Gaelic to participate in the electoral process. This would support efforts to increase registration levels and, thus, increase voter turnout.”
It continued: “Including Gaelic language election materials alongside those in English would provide equal respect to the two languages.
“It can also be argued that the use of Gaelic in such key activity – i.e. elections – is necessary in order to maintain its relevance as ‘an official language of Scotland’.”
This comes after the Sunday National spoke with one of the organisers of a petition calling for the appointment of a minster for Scottish languages to be created.
BnG said extending the use of Gaelic to election materials would help meet the aims of the Scottish Government’s National Gaelic Language Plan.
“This could include the use of Gaelic on election ballot papers in Scottish Parliament and local authority elections. There is a precedent for this," it said.
In Wales, both first past the post and additional member ballot papers also include the parties’ names in Welsh.
“More widely, greater use of the language by Gaelic users should be viewed as contributing towards their individual well-being. Language and culture create self-esteem, nurture self-confidence, define identity and improve quality of life," said BnG.
“This increases well-being for users, learners, and supporters – who have great pride in the language and culture. It contributes positively to what these people think and feel about their lives.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “All responses to the consultation will be carefully considered.
“Gaelic and Scots are significant elements of Scotland’s culture and we are committed to seeing them both thrive and grow across the country.”
