Editorial

In Britain last year a think tank suggested compulsory voting to stem the low turnouts they were having in elections. Quite correctly, the suggestion was seen by the Conservative Party as an unwelcome extension of the state into the rights and liberties of the individual.

There is certainly no need for such a proposal to be made in Malta as the turnout in general elections is invariably high. In the last general election, that of 2003, it was as high as 96 per cent, compared to 94 per cent in 1998 and 95 per cent in 1996. There is no reason to think it should be different in this election.

All in all, the election campaign ran smoothly. It was only towards the end that political temperature rose to a peak commonly reached in elections. Even so, this was a far cry from past times when political tension was sometimes unbearable from beginning to end.

Allegations, from practically all political sides, of corruption, sleaze and misdeeds, as well as insults, muddied the waters and language deteriorated a bit, too, as a few indulged in excesses that also led to a significant number of libel suits being filed. The raw antics of some journalists from the two main parties' media organisations did not help matters either. But the campaign is over now and by tomorrow we would know which party will be entrusted with the country's administration for the next five years.

One unmistakable feature of life in Malta is that democracy is alive and kicking - all the time, as shown also by the interest taken in local councils, although, in view of the general election, today's round has drawn very little national interest, if at all.

The intensity of the election campaign shows a country that is still politically mad. However, one redeeming point is that the situation seems to be changing rapidly for the better in that, despite the keenness shown in the two major political camps, it is clear that the number of party uncommitted voters has been rising steadily in recent years. This is all to the good as, free from past traditional allegiances that often used to be passed from father to son, as it were, voters are able to make a better judgement. When the segment of party uncommitted voters grows even further, politicians resorting to gimmicks will do so at their peril.

With their vote, people today have an opportunity to play a direct part in helping to bring about an improvement in the country's political life. They can do so by choosing as their representatives in Parliament those whom they think are best prepared for the job, not those who have, through their behaviour over time, shown that they are not worthy of representing their constituents, or who may have brought Parliament into disrepute. Ideally, politicians should not be measured merely by what they promise in home visits or on the political platforms, but also by their seriousness and credibility. Not all who have made it to Parliament in the past deserved their seat, as was clear by their behaviour.

Choosing our representatives to Parliament is, therefore, a serious civic responsibility; when so many express so much disenchantment with politicians over the term of the legislature, it is expected that voters take particular care in the selection of their representatives. The future quality of politics is right in their hands. Having said all this, whichever party is elected, it is hoped that the situation gets back to normal in the shortest time possible after the celebrations so that the island would pick up from where it left off before the election.

Winners and losers, we are all Maltese, and pride in the country ought to be a guiding light in our actions after Polling Day and in our work for further economic and social improvement.