A total of 93.3 per cent of the electorate cast their vote in yesterday's general election, with political observers saying last night that the result is too close to call.
However, as voting came to a close at 11 p.m., following an hour's extension, Labour Party general secretary Jason Micallef told The Sunday Times: "I feel Malta has a good chance of a new beginning."
Figures released by the Electoral Commission just before going to print put the turnout at around three per cent below the 2003 election. The lowest turnouts were in the twelfth, tenth and thirteenth districts, traditionally Nationalist strongholds.
Economist Edward Scicluna, who conducts a statistical sampling exercise, said that all things remaining equal in relation to the 2003 election, a three per cent decrease in turnout will probably signify a decrease in thousands of PN votes.
Should there be no switch in party allegiance, the PN could scrape through with a majority of 1,500 to 2,000 votes over Labour, Prof. Scicluna told The Sunday Times early this morning. It is not yet clear whether any party will achieve an absolute majority in this case. If there is a swing, a Labour victory seems likely.
Yesterday's polling day was marred by long queues in certain localities, to the extent that the Electoral Commission decided for the first time ever to extend voting by an hour until 11 p.m. There was a sudden surge in voting the afternoon.
The decision was taken after tailbacks built up in several localities, notably those where the local council elections are also being held. Officials said that some voters, especially the elderly, were taking up to seven minutes to complete both voting documents. Polling stations in schools and other public buildings opened at 7 a.m.
There were complaints of delays at the Valletta polling stations, while in Żejtun some voters were forced to queue for up to two hours. According to one report, voters in Mellieħa were asked to return later in the day because officials could not keep up with the flow.
Of the national dignitaries, Archbishop Paul Cremona was the first to cast his vote at 8 a.m. in Sliema.
The first indication of the result could be known as early as noon since each party takes a sample of 50 votes from each ballot box to get an idea of who is in the lead. Voting is expected to start just after 10.30 a.m.
The vote will be determined at the new counting hall in Naxxar. It is the culmination of a five-week campaign, which started with constructive debate and degenerated into accusations of corruption and mud-slinging.
Yesterday's was the tenth election since independence. Seat allocation is based on first count votes with five people elected in each of the 13 districts, bringing the total number of MPs to 65.
If a party obtains an absolute majority (50 per cent plus one) of votes but a minority of seats, it will be credited extra seats to reflect its votes. This will also happen if a party obtains a relative majority (less than 50 per cent) provided only candidates from two parties are elected. If more than two parties elect candidates, no additional seats will be added to any party.
Once all the sparklers from the general election celebrations fizzle out, the local council election votes will begin on March 15 at 8 a.m.
Continue following developments today on www.timesofmalta.com.