PN commission to analyse election result

The Nationalist Party has set up a commission to analyse the results of the European Parliament elections.

The party announced it had appointed a four-person commission made up of psychiatrist Anton Grech, journalist Godfrey Grima, Abigail Mallia and Frank Mifsud. John O'Dea is the commission's secretary.

The MLP had appointed a similar commission after its electoral defeat and there is even a common denominator in the two commissions - Mr Grima.

The commission is expected to draw up a report for the party. Sources said that although no official timeframe has been given, the report is expected to be concluded by September.

Members of the commission had a meeting with a number of party officials on Tuesday when they were given access to information held by the party. Sources said the commission members were given poll results, strategy documents and other material.

"It is too soon for the commission to come out with anything concrete but what they were given indicates that the party knew what sort of result it could expect. There were no surprises for the party," the sources said.

The Labour Party elected three MEPs and the PN two at the elections held on June 12.

The MLP won 48.4 per cent of the vote while the PN polled only 39.7 per cent. Alternattiva Demokratika won 9.3 per cent and independents had a total of 2.5 per cent.

Turnout stood at 82.3 per cent and almost two per cent of the votes were invalid.

The PN said anyone wishing to contact the commission may phone 7947 4717 or send a letter addressed to Mr O'Dea, c/o PN Headquarters, Triq Herbert Ganado, Pietà or send an e-mail to consulta@di-ve.com.