Angela Boyle, from Lurgan, said: "It's up to each person themselves, nobody should be forced.

"I don't vote myself because I don't trust any of the politicians we have at the moment.

"We need some young blood through, if that happened it might make me vote."

Her friend, Alice Duffy, agreed.

"Politicians completely lost my respect when the whole expenses scandal came out.

"I don't vote because I don't think there's anyone worth voting for - so I certainly don't think I should be forced to vote."

English student James Johnson said he believed politicians had become lazy in securing votes.

"I think politicians should try harder to win new supporters, rather than just forcing people to vote. They seem to go after people they know will already vote for them, rather than going to student areas, and talking to young people about issues that matter to them."

Teenagers Luke Perrott and Chris Phillips said they would both vote, but "disagreed strongly" with the idea of mandatory voting.

Luke, 18, said: "People who don't vote usually don't have an interest in what's going on around them anyway, so if they were to be forced it's almost as if it wouldn't count.

"I think it's better to at least have your say and use your vote, even if no-one really takes any notice."

Chris, 19, said he thought if politicians concentrated on issues that really mattered to the public, more people would turn out to cast their vote and there would be no need for a mandatory system.

Anne and Sam Clarke, from Sydenham in east Belfast, are both long-time voters, but don't believe anyone should be forced.

Anne said: "I vote and I believe everyone should use their vote as it's very important, but I don't believe those who don't want to should be made to. It's their choice at the end of the day, it's not up to anyone else to decide that for someone."