Updated 10.17
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this morning that in such a difficult time for the PN, those who loved the party would not chicken out and run away.
Despite the disappointing result, the rebuilding project which the PN had embarked upon would take time and would be continued, he said in Naxxar counting hall.
Flanked by deputy leaders Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami Dr Busuttil said: “We will not be disheartened, we will continue to work for the PN to recover and regain the people's trust,” Dr Busuttil said. 'We will not chicken out, those who love the party will stay and work. We are not for turning."
He said the PN had a mountain to climb and no one expected it to recover within a year. "The fruit will be borne if we stay here and work harder," he said. "It is a five-year project," he said, adding that the EP elections were not the general election.
He also pointed out to examples when the PN had faced difficulties but was still able to recover.
Dr Busuttil turned up at the counting hall as officials started counting the preferences made by those who voted for Norman Lowell. The way the preferences go is likely to determine whether it will be the PN or the Pl which win the sixth European Parliament seat.
The counting of the preference votes of those who voted for Norman Lowell has started at Naxxar as the battle for the sixth European Parliament seat enters a crucial phase.
Party agents are closely monitoring the counting from behind the perspex, and there appears to be a larger number of 'dubious votes than usual. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is also visiting the counting hall and he is expected to deliver a statement.
Political observers said the way the preferences go may determine whether the PN wins a third seat, or Labour holds on to its fourth.
Although the preference given in Arnold Cassola's votes still have to be counted, it is believed that the votes given to Mr Lowell will be the deciding factor as preferences given by AD voters have historically been split between the PN and the PL.
The gap between the PN and the PL narrowed overnight to some 1,300 votes in favour of the PN.
The PN had started with an advantage of some 2,500 but lost out in vote transfers from the small groups so far.
The PN’s Francis Zammit Dimech is likely to get the seat if it goes to the PN, while for Labour, there is a close race between Clint Camilleri and Joseph Cuschieri. Mr Camilleri was leading Mr Cuschieri by some 1,600 votes after 14 counts.
However, before that race is decided, candidates for the third, fourth and fifth seats still have to be elected. They are likely to be Miriam Dalli (PL) David Casa (PN) and Marlene Mizzi (PL).
The only candidates elected so far are Alfred Sant (PL) and Roberta Metsola (PN).
The final line-up is expected to be officially established tomorrow, with the counting process taking much longer than expected.