Local elections characterised by widespread voter apathy saw the Labour Party win with almost 56 per cent of the vote on Saturday and obtaining a majority of councillors in 19 localities.

Voting took place in 35 localities with the Nationalist Party obtaining 41.8 per cent of the vote and Alternattiva Demokratika 1.9 per cent. Independent candidates won less than one per cent of the vote but in Floriana the only independent candidate to be elected holds the balance of power.

The PL gained almost six percentage points when compared to the results obtained in the last elections held in the same localities between 2007 and 2009 while the PN lost more than five points.

In Safi, Qala and St Paul’s Bay, the PN lost its majority to Labour and Mosta was the only locality to shift to blue from red.

But with voter turnout running at a historic low of 59 per cent, the political parties were yesterday left trying to understand what kept voters away from the polling booths.

The turnout was lowest in predominantly Nationalist-leaning localities.

St Paul’s Bay had the lowest turnout with only 35 per cent of the electorate casting their vote, followed closely by St Julians, where just only 37 per cent voted.

Voter apathy was also high in Swieqi (42 per cent turnout), Sliema (43 per cent) and Gżira (48 per cent).

The PL’s share of the vote increased in all localities except four in Gozo – Għajnsielem, Munxar, San Lawrenz and Żebbuġ – where it experienced slight decreases.

In its traditional south and eastern strongholds, the PL managed to better its performance obtaining particularly strong results in Marsa (+10.5 points), Marsaxlokk (+12.1), Safi (+7.4), Birżebbuġa (+7.1) and Żurrieq (+12.1).

It also made gains in traditional PN-leaning localities with substantial in­creases in Balzan (+7 points), Iklin (+7.6), St Julians (+10.8), St Paul’s Bay (+13.9) and Swieqi (+7.5).

In Qala, the PL registered an increase of more than 11 points and consolidated its majorities in Gżira (+7.5 points) and Dingli (+10.8).

The PN saw its share of the vote drop in all localities but confirmed Gozo as its stronghold, gaining more than five points in Munxar and marginal increases in Nadur, San Lawrenz and Żebbuġ.

In Senglea, a Labour-leaning locality, the PN also registered a minimal increase.

AD only contested 10 localities, electing two councillors in Sliema and Attard. The party had mixed fortunes as it increased its voting share in Sliema by 2.1 percentage points while registering losses in Attard (-2.4 points), Munxar (-2.9) and Swieqi (-4.8).

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