After almost 36 hours of vote counting, the Nationalist Party enjoyed a slight edge over Labour in winning the sixth seat in the European Parliament.

The result would give the parties three each, although the situation was expected to be clearer when the votes of Alternattiva Demokratika’s Arnold Cassola and Imperium Europa’s Norman Lowell were opened.

The vote transfer process was still in full swing by the time of going to print last night but the PN had almost a 3,000-vote advantage over the PL on the last seat.

If the PN wins the sixth seat – its third – it will be a neck-and-neck fight between Francis Zammit Dimech, Therese Comodini Cachia, Ray Bugeja, and Norman Vella.

Dr Zammit Dimech, a veteran MP, had a slight edge over the rest but Mr Bugeja, who trailed Dr Comodini Cachia by a handful of votes, enjoyed the advantage of being top of the list because of his surname. This positioning is likely to earn him the votes of those who give their preferences from top to bottom.

If Labour wins the sixth seat – its fourth – the contenders are likely to be Gozitan Clint Camilleri or incumbent Joseph Cuschieri.

With Miriam Dalli solidly in second place, it was likely Marlene Mizzi would capture the third seat.

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami with MP Ryan Callus and another official in Naxxar yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

However, the parties were also looking at the slow haemorrhage of votes lost along the way as the transfer process continued.

This happens when a voter’s preference stops with candidates who would have already been elected or eliminated.

In these circumstances, the vote becomes non-transferable. The PN will be hoping not to lose votes in this way to maintain the minimal lead over Labour.

Having surpassed the quota by almost 13,000 votes on the first count, Alfred Sant was the only candidate to be elected by the time of going to print.

The PN’s Roberta Metsola was 3,600 votes short of the quota on the first count but was expected to make it when party candidates got eliminated.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com