MLP leadership election: Vote counting starts

Vote counting in the MLP leadership election started at around 11.30 tonight, just over an hour after polling ended in the most keenly contested leadership election in the party's history. Early indications show most of the votes going for Joseph Muscat and George Abela.

The party delegates, numbering around 900, cast their ballot into transparent ballot boxes over a three-hour period at party headquarters this evening.

Joseph Muscat and George Abela said said as the voting was underway that they felt “serene”.

“I feel serene, even though really and truly I don't know why,” Dr Muscat told The Times/timesofmalta.com.

“I think I did my best and whoever is elected as leader, I believe, will be a choice for the good of the party. Judging by the mood here tonight, beyond the sound bites we give the press, following this contest I believe there will be a united Labour Party that will look to the future,” Dr Muscat said.

Dr Abela said he was positive about his prospects and similarly commented that he felt calm. He said there was a serene mood among the delegates, which, he said, was quite something considering that the MLP has just suffered an election defeat. He said the mood among the delegates was that they expected a united team to move the party forward after the contest.

“That is what they expect, and that is what they deserve,” Dr Abela said.

Michael Falzon admitted he felt excited but said he was not making any forecasts.

Evarist Bartolo said the mood was "very different" from that of five years when Dr Sant was contested for the leadership. "There is less tension, the feeling is much calmer, this bodes well for the future." He said the difference was possibly the result of more open debate during the campaign. He did not comment about his prospects but said he found the election process exciting and enjoyable and whatever the outcome, he would not regret having contested.

Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca said she was calm. "I have done my best, let the process take its course" she said.

Meanwhile former MLP leader Alfred Sant cast his vote at about 8 p.m. He did not comment and immediately left party headquarters.

Meanwhile a large crowd of delegates has gathered outside the headquarters chatting to the candidates.

Voting in Gozo by the party's 90 delegates ended at about 8.15 p.m. when all the party's Gozitan delegates had voted. The votes will be counted in Gozo.