Chief Electoral Commissioner Saviour Gauci had a change of heart yesterday, deciding to grant the European Greens observer status at Saturday’s referendum after having declared that his decision was final.
The U-turn came just a few hours after he was hounded by the media after he refused to justify why he had denied granting a permit to the party.
When asked about the matter during a press briefing on the electoral process, Mr Gauci had repeatedly declined to give the commission’s reason for its refusal, first saying it was not on the event’s agenda and then saying the reason was “not in the public interest”. He said the decision was final.
A visibly uncomfortable Mr Gauci refused to reply but insisted it was part of a democratic process.
“The matter is not part of today’s agenda. We came here specifically with an agenda and this matter is not on it... If the commission would like to say anything or give any explanations, it will do so in a statement,” he said.
At the same time, the general secretary of the European Green Party sent a letter to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on the matter.
Although in his reply via e-mail Dr Gonzi said the Commission was an independent body set up by the Constitution, and he, therefore, could not intervene, Mr Gauci sent the party an e-mail informing them that they had been granted permission.
During the press briefing at the counting hall earlier, Mr Gauci was also asked whether the commission would consider any prayer vigils organised in churches on the eve of the referendum and during voting as being in breach of the electoral law on the day of reflection.
He said these matters fell under the responsibility of the police to enforce, adding that the commission would enforce the rule on having no interference within 50 metres of the polling stations.
Earlier, commission official Louis Fsadni explained there will be 581 ballot boxes spread around the islands. Once voting ends at 10 p.m. on Saturday, they will be transported to the counting hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
The sorting of votes will probably start by 10 a.m. on Sunday and the 720 counting agents, supervisors and calculators spread out on the 13 tables will start counting the “yes” votes. It is estimated there will be an indication of the result by around 2 p.m., unless it is too close to call.
The commission has engaged 2,935 assistant electoral commissioners who will be working in every voting venue. Meanwhile, Air Malta yesterday announced it was offering more options to Maltese eligible voters living abroad to come and vote on Saturday.
It said it will be operating an extra flight from London Gatwick to Malta via Brussels on Friday. Flight KM3123 will depart London Gatwick Airport at 6.55 p.m. (UK time) to Brussels. It will then leave Brussels airport at 9.35 p.m. and will land in Malta at 12.30 a.m. on Saturday.
Air Malta flight KM3426 to Luxemburg on May 28 has been rescheduled to leave Malta at 4.30 p.m. and will fly via Brussels and then proceed to Luxemburg. The flight will land at Brussels at 7.25 p.m. It will later proceed to Luxemburg where it is expected to land at 8.50 p.m.
Booking for these flights can be made through Air Malta’s International Call Centre on 2364 5321 and they are only available to clients who have not yet taken advantage of these special arrangements.
Air Malta is also taking reservations of these flights from its sales offices at Malta International Airport and in Victoria.
As announced, the scheme applies to eligible voters whose names appear on last October’s electoral register, including those married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad and also to their dependents (under 18).