Vote counting has started at the Naxxar counting hall, just over 13 hours after the polls closed yesterday.

The vote reconciliation process had proceeded efficiently through the night and at one time it looked like the actual sorting and counting would start earlier than the 10.30 deadline projected by the Electoral Commission. But the process slowed down late this morning.

In the sorting process, the ballot papers are, for the first time, turned face up and placed in packets of 50 according to the first preference given to each candidate.

That gives the political parties the clearest indication yet of who will form the next government.

Hundreds of party representatives as well as candidates have gathered in the counting hall, waiting behind the counters, separated by perspex, to monitor the counting.