Updated 11 a.m.

The sorting of ballot papers - the start of the counting process - is now under way at Naxxar counting hall - a process which is expected to indicate within an hour or so which party will win the general election.

Some 1,000 party agents are lining the counting hall behind the perspex, watching the counters with eagle eyes as they turn the ballot papers face up and place them in bundles of 50.

The agents are taking samples from each ballot box and relaying them to party officials, who are computing the projections, which are usually very accurate.

Party agents compute the figures

Earlier, the conciliation of votes ended at about 10 a.m. .

The process started at 10 p.m. when the ballot boxes used in early voting were taken out of the strong room and opened while the boxes used on polling day were transported to Naxxar.

Turnout at 93% was 0.3 less than in 2008, with the most significant drops being in the PN-leaning 10th and 12th districts.

The conciliation of ballot papers consists of the unfolding of the ballots. They are placed face down and counted to ensure that their number tallies with the voting documents handed in by the voters.

When the sorting process starts, the ballot papers will be turned face up and placed in bundles of 50 according to the preferences. As that happens, the party agents take a sample from each ballot box and make their projections.

The counting complex is ringed by security fences mounted by the police and the army, with some of the approach roads blocked with others controlled by road blocks. People are checked for their particulars and searched before proceeding into the counting hall.