Tuesday, 13th January 2009 - 15:44CET
Athletes seek early voting arrangements for June elections
Alternattiva Demokratika is calling on the Electoral Commission to make special arrangements for Maltese athletes to vote early in the European Parliament and local council elections due to be held together in June.
The party is backing a call made by Malta Olympic Committee in view of the fact that between June 1-6, 120 athletes will be away from Malta for the Small Nations Games. The elections are to be held on June 6.
"Alternattiva Demokratika is asking the Electoral Commission to make special arrangements to give the possibility to the athletes representing our country to exercise their right to vote a week or so before the 6 June, before they leave our country". Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman, said. ,
"Apart from the athletes' right to vote, we simply cannot afford to have them abandoning international sports competitions in order to vote. This would cause great harm to the image and reputation of our country. A country which values democracy should strive to make excercising the right to vote as easy as possible for its citizens", Prof. Cassola said.
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Comments
Why would you talk about voting in a General Election (which you didn't refer too) on an article talking about elections to the EU Parliament and local elections?
Q: Where in this article did you read that the athletes actually care about voting?
A: The party is backing a call made by Malta Olympic Committee
And it is not a question of caring or not. These athletes are not going on holiday, they are going to the small nations games to serve Malta, make a name for themselves and for this piece of rock. Everyone is entitled to his vote [standard practice in a democracy], so why should they be precluded from voting? 1 vote can make a difference, let alone 120. And considering the huge majority [obviously sarcastic comment] which this government enjoys it goes to show that each vote counts. If someone wants to abstain its up to him, but no one has the right to preclude someone from voting just because he is a minority. Anyone who is eligible to vote is entitled to express his choice on the ballot sheet.
Who says we athletes don't pay taxes. I guess very few are those who are 100% professional. The rest, mere mortals, work throughout the day and then in the evening (after work) instead of going home lazying on the sofa they decide to go out an train, no matter how the weather is. Have you ever been @ Marsa or St. Aloysious track when it was raining? NO. Have you ever been at the National Pool 6 in the morning in mid December? NO... so please shut up, coz all of those who are saying nonsense do not know what they're talking about!
Not money Gilson, but democracy.
Why should someone who lives in another country and does not pay a cent tax in Malta come back every election when he has no right to vote even according to the present laws and vote just the same and leave the following day leaving us to lump the government of his or her choice? Have you never heard of people who have been living for years in Australia, the USA and other countries who are not legally eligible to vote and yet they come at election time and vote?
Robert Scullion
You are wrong because I was referring to the general elections.
That's not what the Maltese law says and even the eu limits voting to local councils and MEPs not for General Elections. If you are not a Maltese citizen you have no right to vote in our Maltese general election. As if. I would like to see you try to register as a voter for Malta's general elections if you are not a Maltese citizen.
See also my comment above.
anthony cassar
Without any control?
But still, the point you are trying to make does not relate to Borg Olivier's email. Yet again in simple Maltese: X'ghandu x'jasam?
Of course you would say that - if that was the case, then your beloved PL would have won the last elections because practically no students over the age of 18 would have been able to vote, due to them either studying or earning too low a wage to pay income tax!! Attaining 18 years means that one is of a majority age, hence giving them the right to vote. Paying income tax does NOT give you the right to vote.
Some champion of democracy you are.
mela ... E-voting means electronic voting right?
Well I prefer to see the votes being counted manually, simple as that.
With electronic voting I see room for 'Tbaghbis' much more easily'.
And since this government is so technology orientated I simply dont trust GonziGatt.
Orrajt issa simple as that.
What does e-Voting has to do with Borg Olivier's email??? In simple Maltese: X'ghandu x'jaqsam??
your nationality is determined by where you pay your taxes ... somebody pinch me maybe I wake up from this nightmare.
I hope you were joking? You must be joking. If not, please feel free to move to Congo, Zimbabwe or Iran.
People representing their country, (which is also your country), should be given all the opportunity to vote just as much as you. You expect them to choose and give up their right to vote or their participation after all the sacrifices they undergo during their preparation.
Ah another misfact.
If you're an EU citizen and a resident in another EU country you can vote in that country. Also the same rules applies for local council elections.
or those returning after the closing time....they to should be allowed to vote according to AD then
Why is it that we always have to find something to grumble about in Malta......
That's just tough luck that the games happened to fall on those days.
The Income Tax return should be a required proof for eligibility to vote and for the voting document to be issued.
No Income Tax No Vote.
E Voting?? after the borg olivier e-mail scandal do you think I am in favour of E-Voting? under the current Government? you're joking MHUX HEKK!
Much appreciated.