Record turnout in local council elections

There was a record turnout of 88 per cent in Saturday's local council elections, far higher than the 71 per cent, in these localities three years, which in itself had been higher than previous turnouts.

It is evident that the high turnout for the referendum had an effect on the council elections, with those who went to vote in the referendum also voting for their locality.

The counting of votes will start today at 8 a.m., a decision aimed at first allowing the referendum outcome to be finalised.

There are a total of 262 candidates contesting in the 23 localities: 125 for the PN; 117 for the MLP; and eight for AD; and 12 independent.

The Electoral Commission said the approximate percentage turnout in the 23 localities was:

Mdina, 89 per cent, Cospicua, 83 per cent, Zabbar 89 per cent, Victoria 88 per cent, Birkirkara 89 per cent, Fgura 90 per cent, Gudja 94 per cent, Gharb 89 per cent, Ghaxaq 90 per cent, Kalkara 90 per cent, Lija 91 per cent, Marsascala 67per cent, Mgarr 93 per cent, Msida 85 per cent, Naxxar 88 per cent, Pietà 89 per cent, Rabat 88 per cent, San Gwann 88 per cent, Sannat 87 per cent, Sliema 87 per cent, Tarxien 91 per cent, Xghajra 90 per cent and Mtarfa 87 per cent.