Labour wins absolute majority on 66% turnout

The Labour Party is expected to record a convincing win in this year's local council elections, which were once again dominated by voter apathy.

Voter turnout in Nationalist strongholds fell dramatically. An exit poll carried out by the Nationalist Party last night predicted that - as indicated in a front-page story in The Sunday Times two weeks ago - the MLP would have an absolute majority of around 51 per cent and the PN 44 per cent, with the rest of the votes going to Alternattiva Demokratika and independent candidates.

A total of 65.6 per cent turned out to vote for the local council elections in 23 localities, a drop of 22 per cent compared with three years ago - but that day the election was eclipsed by the EU referendum. Back then, the PN won 48.9 per cent of the vote, the MLP 46.9 per cent and AD three per cent.

No fewer than 159 councillors will be chosen following elections in 23 localities fielding 282 candidates.

The highest voter turnout yesterday was registered at Mdina (83 per cent), while the lowest was in Msida and Sliema, both with 59 per cent, a drop of 26 and 28 per cent, respectively, compared to three years ago. A total of 8,805 votes remained uncollected.

Exit polls showed that the MLP gained ground in localities like Cospicua and Naxxar, while the Nationalists increased their share of votes in the tiny Gozitan village of Gharb.

Polling yesterday proceeded smoothly 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 attempted to squeeze out an eleventh-hour vote in their favour.

No incidents were reported. Some Marsascala residents though were infuriated last night, with one individual calling The Sunday Times claiming that it was impossible for some people to vote after the evening Mass because the road was closed and there was no proper lighting.

By coincidence, all the political leaders as well as the President were eligible to vote in their home towns. President Eddie Fenech Adami and Labour leader Alfred Sant voted in Birkirkara, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in Marsascala, and AD chairman Harry Vassallo voted in Sliema.

At Marsascala, Dr Gonzi was greeted by former Nationalist MP Josie Muscat, who is standing for election under the Grupp Indipendenti Marsascala ticket.

The Labour Party and AD waged an intense electoral campaign, in stark contrast to the Nationalist Party, whose campaign was decidedly low-key. The prime minister in fact repeatedly told supporters that the party's major goal was the general election.

The controversy surrounding the Qui-si-sana car park in Sliema and the waste recycling plant in Marsascala evidently had an impact on the PN's electoral fortunes as many traditional voters chose to stay at home.

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

The first candidate to be elected was Nationalist candidate Peter Joseph dei Conti Sant Manduca at Mdina.

Official results should be known by late morning today or early this afternoon.

Voter turnout percentages