Democracy in Malta being threatened – Bedingfield

Irregularities such as promotions, permits, and outdated identity cards that were still considered as valid when one went to vote were among the shortcomings that surfaced during the last general election. Such shortcomings are a serious threat to local democracy and also to the Party of the European Socialists (PES).

These comments were made by MEP Glenn Bedingfield when addressing a meeting held by the PES in Strasbourg.

Mr Bedingfield also mentioned the recent incident where non-Maltese EU citizens residing in Malta were struck off the electoral register, hence, being denied the right to vote. Although reinstating such people in the electoral register was a move in the right direction, "it is just as important that those who do not have a right to vote should be removed from the electoral register," he said. Mr Bedingfield also claimed that the way people were brought over, by the national airline which is controlled by government, to vote was not transparent at all.

Mr Bedingfield called on the PES to keep an eye on how things were being run in Malta. He claimed that, in Malta, democracy was being threatened not just during election times but on a daily basis. He said that people are being sidelined and certain individuals are being denied jobs because of their political beliefs. These jobs are then being given to people who are not competent to do them, Mr Bedingfield claimed.