I have been following Judge Giovanni Bonello’s series of articles with interest. His latest commentary on the 1981 election result was accompanied by a photo of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff being administered the oath of office by President Anton Buttigieg.

Judge Bonello is emphatic in that the 1981 election result was unconstitutional and hence could well have been null and void. Was Mr Mintoff therefore violating the Constitution on assuming office? If one swears to uphold the Constitution and then simultaneously breaches the very same Constitution, is he guilty of perjury? Could there also be a case of complicity on the part of the person administering the oath?

I distinctly remember the head of Xandir Malta, the notorious Toni Pellegrini, appearing on television attempting to convince TV viewers that the result of each and every electoral district was quite ‘correct’, whatever he meant by that.

Judge Bonello has indeed opened a can of worms. This may well prove to be a vital eye- opener as the county considers holding a constitutional conference.

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