Updated: Mintoff leaves Electoral Office without submitting nomination

Former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff stayed in retirement today after failing to submit his nomination for the general election by the 7 p.m. closing time.

Mr Mintoff was at the Electoral Office between 1.15 and 2.30p.m. but was told he could not submit his nomination between 1-3 p.m., when the offices were closed.

He had been driven to the Electoral Office by a PBS reporter who explained he was invited by Mr Mintoff to go to his house and had expected an interview, only to be asked by the former Labour leader for a lift to Valletta.

Upon his arrival Mr Mintoff protested at the presence of journalists, waving them away with his walking stick.

Asked by a reporter whether he had submitted his nomination, Mr Mintoff said xejn, xejn and told the reporter to turn up when he held a press conference.

Mintoff successfully contested 14 general elections between 1945 and 1996 and retired almost 10 years ago after helping bring down the Sant Labour government.

Picture: Mr Mintoff entering the Electoral Office early this afternoon (Darrin Zammit Lupi).