The people would be able to nominate and vote for some members on government boards in a system similar to the election of the boards of listed companies, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said today.

The pilot project would see individual seats on authorities and entities open to online nominations and voting, Dr Muscat said.

Boards falling under the new syste might include those of regulatory bodies.

Voting parameters had yet to be set, he said, but the system would be in place as soon as possible.

He said PL open governance proposals would also include draft legislation published online consultation, with the government making extended use of social networking sites to solicit and receive policy suggestions.

"We want to avoid legislation by stealth," Dr Muscat told journalists in Mgarr, Gozo. "We want an accountable, transparent government, and we're not afraid of letting go of some power to open government up beyond politicians."

Dr Muscat said he was "suspicious" that the Nationalist party manifesto, published yesterday, made no mention of introducing a Whistleblower Act, party financing law or removing time-barring in cases of corruption.

"If I was shocked but not surprised when the Enemalta oil procurement issue arose. Now I'm getting a little suspicious," he said.

Following the press conference, Dr Muscat paid a visit to Gozitan farming cooperative Gozitana, where he met with farmers and business owners and toured their Xewkija co-op centre.

Dr Muscat hinted that PL farming proposals will make a concerted push towards developing specific agri-business and agri-tourism policies.

"We need a modal shift in attitude, farmers must be encouraged to move along the product chain and sell processed products," Dr Muscat said. He noted that an EU accession agreement allowing the government to give local farmers financial aid would soon come to an end, and said the PL's proposals were mindful of this. Dr Muscat also said the country was "crying out" for a specific agri-tourism policy, with Gozo ideally suited to attracting shoulder month, high-end tourists.