House approves amendment on early voting at elections
The House of Representatives last night approved through all stages a Bill amending the electoral law so that eligible voters who declare that they will be abroad on polling day at general, local or European Parliament elections may vote on the Saturday before.
Winding up the debate on second reading, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said the criticism by the Opposition had been unexpected. The Opposition, for some reason, had come up with an array of excuses to oppose these amendments, insisting they be linked to other changes.
Referring to the speech by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat last week, Dr Borg said that while the Opposition leader had criticized voting at St Vincent de Puale Home, it was worth pointing out that at the last elections, voting at the Home was under the responsibility of a ember of the Electoral Commission nominated on the recommendation of the Labour Party.
Nurses on duty on polling day were chosen equally from those enjoying the confidence of both parties.
Other objections by Dr Muscat were also ridiculous, Dr Borg said. For example, it was not serious to say that there should not be early voting because of the day of reflection on the eve of polling day. Most countries had this system. They even allowed postal voting. And the day of reflection was not a Constitutional requirement.
And it was about time that the PL stopped blaming Maltese who came to vote from abroad as the reason for its general elections defeat. The PL’s own analysis showed otherwise.
Labour had argued that early voting should be limited only to those who were abroad representing the country, such as athletes at the Small Nations Games. But what about those who went abroad to work or to study?
It was also not fair, he said, to link one’s right to vote with whether he or she paid income tax, as Dr Muscat had indicated. There were people who did not pay tax but who were eligible to vote. There were others who lived abroad but had the right to vote because they would have been away from the islands for less than a year.
Another PL condition for was ID cards to be renewed by June 6. Dr Borg said the Maltese did not need their ID cards to vote. The voting document was the only mandatory identification.
The bill was later given a second reading, the opposition voting against. It was also approved through all other stages after Opposition amendments were rejected.
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c busuttil
May 4th 2009, 18:40
@A Farrugia. J'Alla Malta becomes one of the most successful countries in the EU. God bless Malta and thank u PN for making it possible. It would never have been possible with MLP in government. After inventing all sorts of nonsense about foreign workers invading Malta, now the GWU is trying to lure immigrant workers to join their union. So, where it suits them, immigrants are welcome.
Edward Curmi
May 1st 2009, 18:32
@ A Farrugia... Yesterday I followed the whole debate in parliament....I had a laugh listening to Joseph Muscat putting an amendment to a clause which was already vote . With Carmelo Abela , Deputy Speaker correcting him, and telling him that now it's too late... :) Then he had to admit that he is inexperienced in parliament. I also heard a well prepared labour party, presenting an amendment - handwritten by Angelo Farrugia, the person who is aspiring to be our Deputy Prime Minister. Mr. Farrugia, Yes I followed parliament yesterday, it was another proof (if needed) that PL is still not prepared to govern...
A Farrugia
May 1st 2009, 15:05
@ Edward Curmi
You dont deserve an answer because from what you wrote, I understand that you are either not aware of what was said in the house of representatives or worse, you have your facts right and still persist in spin and lies.
My mind boggles why PN apologists are not willing to discuss REAL FACTS rather than their own SPIN. The Labour Party if for Maltese people living abroad to vote given that they can legally do so. I hope you are not promoting illegality.
As for the PL`s choice of its Leader, you should know better. Rather than a panicking Labour Party, one can easily figure out the mood at the DAR CENTRALI. Im happy you think otherwise because thats what we want. A complacent PN. Good luck!
Edward Curmi
May 1st 2009, 14:45
Why is PL panicking and doesn't want to give the right to vote to fellow Maltese who will be studying, representing the country, away for health reasons, working abroad ?
Is this the new political season promised by Muscat, is this what progressivi mean...
Muscat will be celebrating the first anniversary as leader, looking back to the past year, Muscat was for the worst choice the MLP delegates ever did...they had a good choice, but as usual chose the worst...poor labour
Mr saviour marquette
Apr 29th 2011, 12:08
Mr Farrugia thats why since Joseph Muscat became leader the LP won every single election and your used by date leader lost every single one.
A Farrugia
May 1st 2009, 14:22
@ J Martinelli
Thats what you and your friends at the PN bunker would like to believe. You cant stomach the fact that the Partit Laburista has a new Leader and that he is winning the minds and hearts of the Maltese and Gozitan families. People are fed up of this incompetent Prime Minister and guess what? All this in just 1 year since winning the general election. You want to speak about the past but the people want to move on. The people want leadership now and not spin, blatant lies and gimmicks. You say that PLs credibility is next to zero thus I understand that the PN will win 4 if not 5 of the 5 seats that Malta has in the European Parliament. Thats what your friends are saying at the Dar Centrali. What they say is that the PN secrtary general will walk the plank very..very very soon.
Far from confused, the Partit Laburista is leading the national agenda with GonziPN lost when it comes to policy matters. Just because you make a fool of yourself by defending the undefendable will not make you credible dear mr Martinelli or whatever your name is.
J Martinelli
May 1st 2009, 13:43
@ A Farrugia
The Labour Party is confused not knowing whether to abandon the past or hugging it. There is no clear leadership since the 'new way of doing politics' is nothing but a carbon copy of past policies.
LP MEPs vote one way in Brussels, then tell a different stories here! No wonder the LP's credibility is near zero and election after election it keeps losing by little or by much.
Maybe the Opposition benches should bear the names of the incumbents permanently.
A Farrugia
May 1st 2009, 12:10
Edwin, just like the PN is still stuck in the past. Thats why the people will choose the Partit Laburista to make of Malta one of the most successful countries in the European Union. 6th of June European Parliament elections in 5 weeks time
A Farrugia
May 1st 2009, 11:56
@ Noel Barry
Once again Noel, you got it wrong. Perhaps you are still trying to spin this story even though you know very well that you, just like the party you support, are no longer credible. IT is NOT TRUE that the PL MEPs voted in favour of giving voting rights to immigrants.
Truth is that the PL, through MEP Louis Grech is working hard to bring to Malta the official EU Asylum Agency. It is the Partit Laburista that is working hard to fight this national problem, the one of illegal immigration. Joseph Muscat launched a 20 point plan whereas the PN is still lost and complacent. Suffice to say that yesterday, Italy sent a boat full of illegal immigrants to Malta.
As for the voting rights to Maltese living abroad, the PL agrees with giving them the right to vote if the legal requirements are observed. Trying to fool people with blatant lies will get you nowehere. The people know it and will vote for the PL in the coming 6th of June elections.
edwin formosda
May 1st 2009, 11:07
How different from the elections held under the Labour Governments of the 70's !!!! And yet....
Noel Barry
May 1st 2009, 10:33
The MLP is in favour of giving voting rights to illegal immigrants and is against giving voting rights to Maltese who are abroad. KOLLOX BIL MAQLUB.