Turnout drops to 67.5 per cent

Voter apathy was the order of the day yesterday as 67.5 per cent turned out to vote for the local council elections in 21 localities, a drop of 4.8 per cent compared to three years ago.

A total of 123 councillors of the 224 candidates fielded have to be chosen in an election, which the Labour Party is set to win with a large majority.

Voter turnout in Nationalist strongholds dwindled dramatically, and an exit poll carried out by the PN last night gave the MLP an increased absolute majority, with 53 per cent, the PN 42 per cent, and the rest of the votes going to Alternattiva Demokratika and independent candidates.

However, there was no voting in Zejtun and Marsa, since the number of candidates matched the number of council seats to be filled (nine and seven, respectively). The PN's decision to withdraw two candidates in each locality at the last minute to avoid an election in these two Labour strongholds overshadowed most of the campaign.

As it is, Zejtun will have eight Labour councillors to a single Nationalist, and Marsa five Labour councillors to the PN's two.

Three years ago, the MLP won 52.2 per cent of the vote, and the Nationalists 44.8 per cent - and that included the votes polled in Zejtun and Marsa.

Polling yesterday took place mostly under an overcast sky and there was hardly any queuing in any of the localities. Candidates and canvassers stood a short distance away from the polling stations in most localities, as they hoped to squeeze out an 11th-hour vote in their favour.

Voting in all localities, five of them in Gozo, ran smoothly, with no incidents being reported as Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition leader Alfred Sant and AD chairperson Harry Vassallo toured the different localities.

Shops and bars within 50 metres of the polling station were relieved as, for the first time, the regulations did not bar them from opening for business while voting was under way. However, since the new regulations excludes political clubs, the Labour Party club in Zebbug had to go to the trouble of mounting a spiral staircase to provide an alternative access, around the corner from the main entrance.

The Labour Party and AD waged an intense electoral campaign, in stark contrast to the Nationalist Party, whose campaign was decidedly low-key.

One innovation for this year's elections is the choice of mayor - the candidate of the majority party winning the largest number of first preference votes will now fill the post.

The highest voter turnout yesterday was registered at Qrendi and Fontana, while the lowest turnout was registered at the PN-led St Paul's Bay council, a reduction of eight per cent. Over 9,000 votes remained uncollected.

An increase in voting was registered in just three localities - Dingli, Mqabba and Zurrieq - traditionally with Labour leanings.

The percentage turnout in all localities was: Valletta 68 (71 per cent in 2002); Senglea 71 (78); Fontana 81 (no election in 2002); Zebbug 72 (75); Balzan 65 (72); Dingli 80 (79); Ghajnsielem 74 (78); Ghasri 75 (85); Iklin 70 (74); Kirkop 77 (84); Mellieha 71 (74); Mqabba 78 (73); Nadur 81 (83); Pembroke 68 (75); Qrendi 82 (84); St Paul's Bay 44 (52); St Julian's 54 (62); St Venera 65 (70); Ta' Xbiex 69 (74); Xewkija 75 (80); and Zurrieq 75 (73).

Vote counting started in earnest last night at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and at the Victoria Sports Complex.

The first candidate to be elected was Andrew Vella (PN) in Ghasri.