Scots will be given a “straightforward” and “clear” choice in the vote on independence, first minister Alex Salmond said.
Mr Salmond launched his government’s consultation on the referendum with a statement at Holyrood this afternoon.
He told MSPs the document set out the question the Scottish National Party (SNP) administration intended to put to voters.
Mr Salmond said the question was “short, straightforward and clear”.
He said: “The question is ‘Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”’
Mr Salmond described the vote on whether or not Scotland should stay in the United Kingdom as “the most important decision by the people of Scotland in 300 years”.
For that reason, he said, it was important that the vote should meet “the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety”.
The first minister announced the electoral commission would be appointed to regulate the referendum.
The first minister said eligibility to vote in the referendum would be determined by residency, telling MSPs: “The people who live and work in Scotland are best placed to decide its future.”
However, he said the Scottish government proposed extending the franchise to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote.
Mr Salmond said: “It is right that our young people should have the chance to play their part in decisions about their community and their country.
“If a 16-year-old in Scotland can register to join the army, get married and pay taxes, surely he or she should be able to have a say in this country’s constitutional future?
“In our consultation today we are, therefore, seeking views on our proposal to extend the right to vote in this referendum to 16- and 17-year-olds who are eligible to be included on the electoral register.”
PA