Policemen have still not been paid for the hours they put in providing security during the spring hunting referendum and local council elections six months ago.

That is in spite of the fact that the Electoral Commission settled its dues with the police force in July.

The Justice Ministry has now told the Times of Malta that the officers will receive their arrears in their next pay cheque.

Sources pointed out that such complaints were not unprecedented: overtime pay for electoral duties have on other occasions taken several months to be processed.

The issue was raised in a parliamentary question filed a few weeks ago by Justice Shadow Minister Jason Azzopardi. However, with the House of Representatives is still on its summer recess, no reply has yet been tabled. Parliament reconvenes next Monday.

The ministry gave this newspaper no reason why the overtime payment is taking so long to be processed.