The hunting lobby is urging those threatening to “abstain out of protest” to head to the polls as “a boycott is not an option”, according to a Yes vote campaigner.

Hunting federation lawyer Kathleen Grima told Times of Malta the lobby had encountered individual hunters and other voters who said they would not vote in Saturday’s referendum.

These people, she said, were either doing so out of some form of protest or felt the lobby stood a better chance of winning through a mass abstention.

For the referendum result to be effective, 50 per cent plus one of eligible electors will have to cast a vote. Failure to reach this quota would render the referendum invalid.

Sources close to the hunting fraternity told this newspaper the lobby was coming under increased pressure from hunters who were having doubts about whether heading to the polls was the best option.

Asked about this, Dr Grima said she had no knowledge of any growing pressure or a movement towards an abstention.

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