Malta decides: voters head to the polls today in snap general election
Labour is eyeing a record fourth term as the PN banks on a reinvigorated core voter base
Updated 1:15pm
Voters across Malta and Gozo head to ballot stations today to pick which candidates should represent them in parliament.
Robert Abela called the snap general election on April 27, kicking off a month-long campaign filled with ambitious proposals. The election was called almost a year earlier than due, with the prime minister citing global security concerns as the reason for a new mandate.
The Labour Party (PL) is hoping to win the election by another landslide and secure a historic fourth consecutive term in government, a feat no previous administration has achieved.
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party (PN) has a new leader and is hoping to invigorate its core vote base with a fresh face.
This is Alex Borg’s first major test as PN leader, having only occupied the post for a few months. He said the party’s goal is not just to narrow the massive voting gap between the PN and the PL but even to win the election outright.
At the last election, Labour won 44 out of 79 parliamentary seats with 55% of the vote. The PN, led by Bernard Grech at the time, won 35 seats.
Alex Borg and Robert Abela cast their votes in Munxar and Żejtun, respectively. Both party leaders urged citizens to do their civic duty and vote.
Momentum leader Arnold Cassola voted in Pembroke at 11am while ADPD leader Sandra Gauci voted in Qawra at around 12.30pm.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono voted in Birkirkara at 12pm. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola cast her vote in Sliema at around 1pm.
356,832 eligible voters
There are 356,832 eligible voters in this election and 162 candidates hoping to get elected in one of the 13 districts.
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. No one will be allowed to vote without presenting the voting document issued by the Electoral Commission.
People will not be allowed to congregate or use electronic devices, including mobile phones, at the polling station.
Voters also cannot take photos or videos inside the polling station and any photos of the ballot are strictly forbidden.
If a voter makes a mistake on their ballot, they can ask the assistant commissioners on site for a fresh ballot.
Once the polls close, the boxes with the ballot papers will be transferred to the counting hall in Naxxar where officials start sorting the ballot papers at 9am tomorrow to begin the counting process. An unofficial result will be known within an hour or two of the sorting process.