Police have “not yet concluded” their investigations into alleged breaches of the political coverage blackout rule on the day before the general election.

On election day, police questioned at least seven Labour exponents following reports they too had breached the law

Asked whether anyone had been charged for breaking the law that imposes a day of silence on the eve of and on election day, police said it was “not prudent to comment at this stage” because their investigations were ongoing.

This all-encompassing law under article 114 of the General Elections Act prevents the publication of “any matter intended or likely to influence voters” in newspapers, printed matter or other means of communication to the public.

It carries a maximum fine of €1,164 and/or a prison term of up to six months.

On election day eve, police questioned blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia after she posted more than 30 blogs criticising Labour and urging voters to choose the Nationalist Party.

On election day, police questioned at least seven Labour exponents following reports that they too had breached the law. They included Helena Dalli (now Civil Rights Minister), former MP Charles Mangion and candidates Deborah Schembri and Nikita Alamango, among others.

Some form of reporting restriction is common at election time around the world but has been deemed to run contrary to freedom of speech in various jurisdictions, including Bulgaria.

Countries like France and Italy recently saw similar laws circumvented through the use of untraceable Twitter and Facebook accounts.

In some countries it is restricted to activities by the political parties, leaving private individuals and the traditional media to their own devices.