Athletes seek early voting arrangements for June elections

Robert Scullion

Jan 14th 2009, 14:39

@IGalea
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?

EPMuscat

Jan 14th 2009, 07:42

Dusty, many people have moved away from seeing their money being physically counted. They rely on their 24x7 electronic services with the banks. No doubt there will be a lot of work to be done for eVoting - to develop trust through proper Identity management, technology resilience, legislation, political maturity, IT Auditing etc... This process will take years and tons of discussions - and will therefore not be ready by June 09 !! If the process starts now we could very well have the first eElection run by a Labour Government !!! Think about it...

esultana

Jan 13th 2009, 21:42

@a mifsud
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.

L. Bonnici

Jan 13th 2009, 21:09

It seems many people do not have any idea about the sacrifices athletes go through to practice their sport, and they feel honoured to be asked to represent their country abroad. Obviously many people don't know about this and don't even care. No wonder we're a BANANA republic.

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!

jimmy vella

Jan 13th 2009, 20:51

What difference does it make any more who gets in power, all alternativa democratika is trying to do is to get an extra vote or two what a brilliant party.!!!!!!

lgalea

Jan 13th 2009, 20:44

J Gilson
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?

Joseph Abela

Jan 13th 2009, 20:21

@Dusty

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?

Matthew Borg

Jan 13th 2009, 20:12

@ IGalea

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.

a mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 19:27

Mr Caruana. Where in this article did you read that the athletes actually care about voting? As far as I can see it is the AD that is using this to make some political noise. I firmly believe that the athletes have a right to vote and there should be early voting as in other countries. Also, I feel it is a great honour to represent your country......so yes, if they wish they should be allowed to do both.

dusty william

Jan 13th 2009, 19:22

@ JOSEPH ABELA

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.

Joseph Abela

Jan 13th 2009, 19:08

@ Dusty
What does e-Voting has to do with Borg Olivier's email??? In simple Maltese: X'ghandu x'jaqsam??

J Gilson

Jan 13th 2009, 19:06

look what money is turning us into ...

your nationality is determined by where you pay your taxes ... somebody pinch me maybe I wake up from this nightmare.

Matthew Caruana

Jan 13th 2009, 18:56

To J.Farrugia, A Mifsud

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.

Robert Scullion

Jan 13th 2009, 18:44

@IGalea
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.

a mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 18:40

Further to my previous comment....the header of this article says that the athletes are seeking early voting arrangements , but the article itself is all about AD seeking these arrangements. Again, I think it is highly presumptuous of the AD to make these assumptions.

J.Borg

Jan 13th 2009, 18:06

And what about those people who already booked theer holiday and are flying out on 6th June....aren't they supposed to be allowed to vote.....
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.

anthony cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 17:58

can't they vote at the maltese embassy ?

lgalea

Jan 13th 2009, 17:49

If you don't pay taxes in Malta you should not vote.
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.

EPMuscat

Jan 13th 2009, 17:18

Dusty - with all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about. If anything you can make the MittsGate argument, but not the Borg-Olivier-email argument.

J Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 17:02

NO WAY> They have to choose: either staying here in Malta to vote or else go for the games. 120 votes will not make any difference.

Franco Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 16:43

@ Luke Jones - That's right. That is what democracy is about. Or do you think that minorities do not have rights? Some lover of democracy you are.

a mifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 16:26

I hope this doesn't lead to the same ridiculous situation we had a few years ago where the national waterpolo team returned early from the European championships to vote in the elections. Amazing how the AD assume that voting in EP elections is so important to these athletes who will be representing their country.

dusty william

Jan 13th 2009, 16:22

EP Muscat

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!

EPMuscat

Jan 13th 2009, 16:09

This is the perfect reminder that Malta needs to start moving towards eVoting. How's that for a Smart Island ?!

Luke Jones

Jan 13th 2009, 16:09

Every vote counts. Even if it's just 5 out of 120 supporting AD.

Spiteri J

Jan 13th 2009, 16:07

What about Maltese citizens working abroad? Any special arrangements such as Air Malta flights or voting at embassies? Electoral Commission kindly inform.

Much appreciated.