The Electoral Commission is looking for a site to convert into a vote-counting centre after its lease on the Naxxar trade fair building expired last year.

The Naxxar counting centre was used for the counting of votes in the 2007 local elections, the last general election and the European Parliament elections.

It was announced last week that fairs will again be held in Naxxar.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in reply to a question in Parliament that the Electoral Commission has started the process of finding a suitable site for a new counting centre.

Prior to Naxxar, votes were counted in a converted factory at Ta' Qali, which has since been demolished to make way for a new US embassy.

In the 1980s votes were counted at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far.

A counting centre is usually composed of a counting hall, a reception area where ballot boxes are received and checked, a strong room, offices for the Electoral Commission and the political parties and facilities, including studios, for the press. Security requirements are a factor that is considered when the location of a counting centre is decided.

Should electoral timetables be followed, a new counting centre is not due to be required before the local council elections next year, since local elections are no longer held every year.

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