Electoral Commission gears up for referendum, elections

The next round of local elections in March could be postponed because of the referendum on EU membership to be held round that time and also because of the possible timing of the general election.

Sources said the electoral commission was also preparing for any eventuality and that it had ordered an extraordinary amount of security paper just in case the referendum and the general election were held very close to each other.

The sources also said that the electoral commission was also making preparations to have in its possession twice as many ballot boxes than are needed for a general election: "The measure is being taken just in case the prime minister will decide to call the referendum and the general election on the same day but using different ballot boxes."

The sources said that since the referendum was expected to be held between the end of February and the end of March, the local elections were likely to be postponed to a later date - possibly June - especially since an election could be called soon after the result of the referendum is known.

"Although the prime minister has not pronounced himself on the issue, he has given several hints on the possible timing of the referendum. It is almost certain that the referendum will be held between February and April and in this scenario, especially if the prime minister will decide to go for an election shortly after the outcome of the referendum is known, the local elections are likely to be postponed, also because it is unhealthy to have three 'elections' very close to each other. In this scenario, the Local Councils Act provides for alternatives," the sources pointed out.

The sources said the organistion of local elections required significant work which normally kicked off around mid-January.

"This process involves administrative, technical and legal work. For instance, the electoral commission issues a notice at least 35 days before the day fixed for the local elections and has it published in the Government Gazette and it will also issue the call for nominations of candidates. It will be disruptive to have the preparations for the local elections coinciding with the run- up to the referendum and/or the election."

The local councils legislation states that if elections for local councillors are due to be held within three months before the holding of general elections or referenda, the election of councillors may be postponed to a date determined by the minister, but in any case not later than three months following the holding of such general elections or referenda:

Provided that, in the event that the elections are so postponed, the term of office of the councillors in office at the time of such postponement shall be extended by the same period by which the elections are postponed and that of the councillors subsequently elected shall be reduced by the same period by which the term of office of the previous councillors has been extended.