Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo yesterday again emphasised the importance of second preference votes to AD from non-AD voters.

Addressing a news conference in Birkirkara, Dr Vassallo said the electoral campaign had shown that the safest way to ensure that Malta joined the European Union was to have AD in parliament.

He said that if an absolute majority was obtained by any one party, that party would win the election, irrespective of whether AD obtained a seat or not.

And if no party got an absolute majority and AD got no seats, the party obtaining the relative majority would win. So if Labour obtained more votes than the PN and AD got no seats, Labour would win.

This scenario, he said, could be avoided by ensuring that AD was elected to parliament. For if it was elected, the number of seats would determine electoral victory.

Dr Vassallo said it was for this reason that AD was not only asking for first preference votes from Green voters and pro-EU Labourites, but also for second preference votes from PN voters.

Those who gave AD second preference could then continue with the other candidates in their party. Contrary to what some candidates were implying, this in no way invalidated one's vote. To the contrary, this doubly ensured that Malta would join the European Union, he said.

Dr Vassallo said it did not do AD core voters justice to assume that they would have voted PN if AD did not contest the election.

"Green core voters want AD to represent them as a party with a green vision based on social justice, environmental protection, civil rights, gender equality and non-violence.

"AD is duty bound to represent the legitimate aspirations of its members and supporters all around Malta and Gozo. Pro-EU Labourites are also very much welcome to vote for the party that truly represents their aspirations."

AD said that more information on the electoral system and on how to vote to ensure that Malta joined the EU could be obtained from the Alternattiva hotline on 2131 4040 or 2131 4046.