The Labour Party (PL) yesterday proposed that, as from next year, Maltese living abroad should be allowed to vote at their respective embassy on the day before the election.

It also suggested that identification cards should replace the voting document, following their renewal under the scrutiny of the Electoral Commission. The party said voting with ID cards would reduce the chance of abuse and cut costs.

For the European Parliament elections in June, overseas voters wishing to fly to Malta should make their request to the Electoral Commission, which should then make the necessary verifications and pass on the request to the national airline. This would make the process subject to democratic scrutiny, said the party.

The PL made the suggestions after the Nationalist Party yesterday called on the government to amend the electoral laws so that those who are abroad during the European Parliament and local council elections will be allowed to vote beforehand.

Labour agreed to the suggestion, as long as the necessary assurances were given that there would be no abuse of the system.

The Malta Olympic Committee had appealed to the Electoral Commission to allow athletes taking part in the Games for the Small States of Europe to vote early because the games clash with the June 6 elections.

However, the PN said the commission could not act unless the law was amended.

In reaction to the PL comments, the PN said it had always promoted changes to the electoral law in order to enable electors to exercise their right in the best way. This was contrary to the resistance offered by the PL over the years.

The PN said Labour had refused PN proposals before the 2003 election and again before the last election and this was confirmed by the way the PL responded to the MOC request as there was no sign of commitment in favour of the right to vote.

Once again, the PN charged, the PL was using electors as a political ball. It urged Labour to put partisanship aside.