Former Labour MP Joe Farrugia (Il-Farrell) has won the casual election for Karmenu Vella's seat in Parliament.

He will be returning to Parliament after 16 years, having served for the 22 months of the Sant government between 1996 and 1998.

The casual election was a close fight between Mr Farrugia and former MP Anthony Zammit, who had led in the first three counts. Mr Farrugia, who was not in the counting hall, won with a 1,985 votes, 86 more that Prof Zammit.

The vote-counting was held at Naxxar counting hall.

Mr Vella resigned last week to take up his post as European Commissioner.

Anthony Zammit watching proceedings at the counting hall.

The election was also contested by Robert Henry Bugeja, Mario Calleja and Edric Micallef.

Mr Bugeja, who raised controversy over Facebook comments on immigration, was third.   

Mr Calleja got the least votes and was eliminated after the first count.

During casual elections, the ballots awarded to the retiring MP are opened and assigned to the candidates winning the second preference. 

The Labour Party in a statement congratulated Mr Farrugia on his election.

Blog http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141106/blogs/flushing-principles-down-the-drain.542928