On the eve of the last general election, the three major political parties committed to making it easier for those of us living abroad to exercise our right to vote (right).

Two years on, there is nothing to show for that rare moment of cross-party consensus. If anything, we have regressed.

As of this year, the effective cost of exercising our right to vote is double what it was in 2013. At this rate, there may not even be a subsidy to write about in 2018. That day cannot come too soon. Good riddance to perverse subsidies.

The misdirected generosity of successive governments on this particular issue has done our entire country a disservice.

Besides wasting precious taxpayer money, this arbitrary and crude subsidy has distracted resources away from what the Maltese community resident abroad really needs: a cost-effective, quick and easy way for us to exercise our right to vote in elections and referenda. There is much low-hanging fruit waiting to be picked.

At the very least, we should put in place what other countries did decades ago, that is, allowing eligible voters who are resident abroad to cast their vote at an embassy of their choice.

That would be reinforced by a postal voting system, particularly for those who live in countries not serviced by a Maltese embassy or our national carrier.

Alternatively, we can set the international electoral agenda and harness the power of information technology to pilot an electronic voting system for eligible voters living abroad.

Given the right checks and balances, that scheme could pave the way for a fully electronic system covering the entire electorate. We should aim high – just high enough not to have to take to the skies come the next ballot.