Alternattiva Demokratika insisted today that the Referanda Act must not be touched, despite calls from the hunters' movement.

In a statement, AD chairman Arnold Cassola thanked all those who voted in the spring hunting referendum and all those who voted No.

"AD would also like to thank the eNGOs that accepted our invitation to work together towards this historic referendum."

"The result is clear: the referendum has been won by the IVA faction. This however does not authorise either Kathleen Grima or Joe Perici Calascione to play about with and curtail acquired democratic rights won by the Maltese citizens. These two, together with Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, have already declared that they will be suggesting amendments to the referendum act, with the intention of curtailing the rights of citizens to call for an abrogative referendum.

"Our reaction is very clear: Hands off our Referenda. The people of Malta have fought over the years to widen participative democracy in our country. The abrogative referendum has already many limitations attached to it. Any further attempt at restricting it can only be meant as a means of suppressing the democratic will of the people," Prof Cassola said.