The destination of Malta's sixth seat in the European Parliament has been thrown into doubt after the transfer of surplus votes following the election of Nationalist candidate Simon Busuttil this morning.

The PN had initially been confident of winning the sixth seat. It was calculated that after two of its candidates are elected, it would have a surplus of over 18,000 votes.

The PL would have a surplus of 12,200 after three quotas, leaving a difference of 5,000 votes.

The margin narrowed, however, when some 1,000 of Dr Busuttil's votes were not transferred to other PN candidates but to the candidates of other parties.

Observers at Naxxar counting centre said much would depend on the other preferences given by voters who voted for Arnold Cassola (who won 5,235 first count votes) and Norman Lowell (3,559 votes) as well as the other candidates.

That, however, is not expected to be known before tomorrow.

The candidates who have been eliminated so far are Cecil Jones, John Spiteri Gingell, Nazzareno Bonnici, Reuben Attard, Emmy Bezzina, Malcolm Seychell, John Zammit, Mary Gauci (Libertas) Yvonne Aqueros Ebejer (AD.