Update 2: MLP leadership decider under way

(Adds comments by George Abela, Joseph Muscat)

Labour Party delegates are back at party headquarters to vote in the election for the party leadership, with Joseph Muscat in pole position to assume the crown from Alfred Sant.

Dr Muscat yesterday was just three votes short of the absolute majority he needed to be declared winner, having garnered more than twice the number of votes given to the runner-up George Abela, whom he is now facing in the run-off.

Dr Muscat and Dr Abela voted together early this evening but polling by the nearly 900 delegates will continue up to 8.30 p.m. A result is expected shortly after.

This is the third time the delegates are voting since the March 8 general election. They voted on a motion to extend voting rights for the leadership election to paid-up members, and they voted in the first round of the leadership election yesterday. They will be required to cast their ballot again next week when the MLP chooses its deputy leaders, with indications being that an election for the party administration would be called soon after.

Many of them waited outside headquarters after voting and congratulated Dr Muscat as their new leader when he arrived. He told them it was not over yet.

Dr Abela in comments this evening said this electoral campaign was very positive for him and what he enjoyed most was his characterization as the prodigal son in that he had been welcomed back in the party and allowed to give his contribution to strengthen the party credibility. This, he said, was the most important thing.

Dr Muscat said the atmosphere at headquarters was of a party that was eager to close this process and move forward.

"We're back in business," Dr Muscat said.