Update 2 - Dr Abela sworn in -  - Former Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela has won the casual election for the parliamentary seat vacated with the resignation of Nationalist MP Joe Cassar in Parliament.

Dr Cassar, a former health minister, resigned amid claims that he received gifts from Joe Gaffarena while he was minister.

Dr Abela, son of former Nationalist MP Sammy Abela, was Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister between 2003 and 2008, with responsibility for national defence.

A notary by profession, Dr Abela was first elected in 1987 and again in 1996, 1998 and 2003.

His electoral base is Rabat.

Dr Abela led throughout the vote-counting this morning.

After the first count - when Dr Cassar's ballot papers were opened so that counters could see second preferences - Dr Abela had 1,406 votes. He was followed by young architect David Vassallo with 965, Philip Mifsud on 642, Rudolph Grima 566 and Peter Micallef, 365.

Mr Micallef was eliminated and the votes distributed to the other candidates according to voters' preferences.

After the second count Dr Abela continued to lead by 418 votes and Rudolph Grima was eliminated.

By the fourth count, the contest was between Dr Abela, who was comfortably leading, and former MP Philip Mifsud, who had overtaken David Vassallo. 

Dr Abela was sworn in by the Speaker, Anglu Farrugia, in the evening.