Referendums: 1956, 2003

The following three points are extracts from The Times of Malta of February 15, 1956, referring to the result of the integration referendum of 1956.

1. "67,607 votes in favour of integration out of a total electorate of 152,823; a percentage of 44.24 per cent."

2. "The 'boycott' campaign has been successful. A total of 62,480 voters kept away from the polls - and this after a clear and unmistakable declaration by one political party (Nationalist) that its boycott was meant to signify a negative attitude to the integration proposal."

3. "...The number of invalid or spoiled votes in the referendum reached the abnormal figure of 2,559... This factor, too, ought to be considered as an actual reflection of active dissent to the referendum (1956) proposals".

In 1956, the Nationalist Party ordered its followers to "boycott" the referendum. In 2003, it is asking the electorate to vote either Yes or No and objecting to "absenteeism".

A "boycott" was acceptable in 1956; so in 2003 each voter should be free to decide (without any pressure from any source) whether to abstain or to go and cast his vote.

If a voter decides to vote, then he has three options: "spoil" the ballot or vote yes or no.

In conclusion, the result should be calculated as indicated in the above three points.