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Chief Electoral Commissioner Saviour Gauci this morning refused to explain why the European Greens were denied observer status for Saturday's referendum on divorce.

Addressing the press briefing on the electoral process, Mr Gauci repeatedly refused to reply to the questions saying these were outside the agenda of the briefing.

He insisted, however, that the process was very democratic.

When pressed further, he said that if the Electoral Commission had anything to say on the matter, it would issue a statement.

On Saturday, there will be 581 ballot boxes spread around the 13 electoral districts.

There will be 720 counting staff, including the actual counting staff, calculators and supervisors, and nearly 3,000 assistant electoral commissioners.

The commission predicts a clear indication of the result by 2 p.m. Sunday unless this will be too close to call.