The official writ to hold elections for 34 councils on March 10 is expected to be issued next week, Electoral Commissioner Saviour Gauci has confirmed.

The elections will be held in the following localities:

Vittoriosa, Senglea, Qormi, Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi, Attard, Balzan, Birżebbuġa, Dingli, Floriana, Gżira, Għajnsielem, Għargħur, Ħamrun, Iklin, Kerċem, Kirkop, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaxlokk, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Paola, Qala, Safi, San Ġiljan, San Lawrenz, San Pawl il-Baħar, Santa Luċija, Swieqi, Xagħra, Żebbuġ, Żurrieq.

The situation of the Sliema local council is still fluid because the declaration by President George Abela authorising its dissolution has not yet been issued.

This is expected to happen sometime next week for it to be included in the list of localities where elections will be held.

Asked whether the writ could be extended in case a general election was called for May or September so both council and general elections would be held on the same day, Mr Gauci admitted he had to seek legal advice on that as it had never happened before.

He said the commission was working on the council elections independently of any possible election and a call for Assistant Electoral Commissioners has already been issued.

This is the first time council elections are being held in half the country’s localities. Before, elections were held every year in one-third of the localities. Now, councils have a four-year term.