The Democratic Party will be able to use the party's orange colour next to its candidates' names on ballot sheets, despite protests from the Labour Party.

PD lodged its request with the Electoral Commission to be assigned the orange colour for the European Parliament elections. However, PL claimed that the colour could be confused with its red party colour.

The party said it has been known as Tal-Oranġjo since its foundation, with the colour orange being registered as its official colour and nowadays forming part of its identity.

"In fact, many are those who know the party as Tal-Oranġjo rather than as Partit Demokratiku. Orange was even adopted by parliament’s website to represent PD MPs and other matters pertaining to the party."

PD pointed out that Labour had persisted in its objection, even when, in a spirit of compromise, it accepted to be represented by a shade of orange other than its own.

"This colour is clearly distinct from red and confusing one with the other is inconceivable. It is also worth mentioning that there are other features in the ballot paper that distinguish one party from another."

According to the electoral law, the assignment of colours to the various parties is at the Electoral Commission’s discretion.

PD said it appreciated the fact its arguments were taken into consideration and thanked the commission for accepting its request. 

Reason prevailed, it said, adding that in a climate of political tribalism, PD continued to strive to offer a ray of hope to the Maltese people.

Arnold Cassola's logo by Ġorġ Mallia

Meanwhile, Arnold Cassola, who has fought a separate battle to have his logo on the ballot sheet, said the decision by the commission to allow independent candidates a logo was a historic first.

So far, the law has been mistakenly interpreted as allowing logos for party candidates only, the independent candidate said.

Prof. Cassola contested the interpretation, adding that the ballot sheet actually specified that the logo was the "badge of candidate" and not the "badge of party". 

"Some of the by now well-known party trolls have rushed to denigrate the Cassola logo, in their attempt to minimise the little blow suffered by the two-party establishment that, till now, has always decided on who could sport a logo or not."