Poll respondents feel televoting unfair to Malta

Almost half the respondents to an online poll by The Times believe Chiara will place among the top five in tonight's Eurovision Song Festival.

But expectations are not that high, with a number of the respondents believing that Malta will lose out on the coveted first place because of the voting system.

"She deserves to come first but voting is not that fair nowadays," one respondent said.

A few others said Chiara would not win because countries tend to vote for their neighbours and Malta did not have any. "Since we have no neighbours to vote for us, I see no chance for Malta to ever win the festival. It's always the same," one said.

Others expressed their belief that the singer will be the winner with her ballad Angel and another forecast that Chiara will place second.

"It's now or never. Chiara sure has some hard work (to do) but she is capable and she will make us proud."

Most of the respondents said they liked the song, adding that Chiara should do well.

"After having heard all the songs, I think Chiara should do really well. Nobody can match her beautiful voice, her stage presence and confidence," one said.

Another said Chiara is aptly nicknamed The Voice and when she sings she gives her listeners the goose bumps.

"She has a special talent and millions will enjoy her performance during the Eurovision, making Malta proud whichever position she places."

But one respondent asked where and how Malta would hold next year's festival if Chiara had to win tonight.

Just over 32 per cent of the voters said they believed Chiara would place between the sixth and 10th place and just over 20 per cent said she would not place among the first 10.

The poll result is not necessary representative of the population as a whole.