The votes cast in local elections in 23 localities last Saturday will start being counted in Naxxar this morning.

The elections were held in Valletta, Senglea, Żebbuġ, Żejtun, Balzan, Dingli, Iklin, Kirkop, Marsa, Mellieħa, Mqabba, Pembroke, Qrendi, St Julians, St Paul's Bay, Sta Venera, Ta' Xbiex and Żurrieq in Malta and in Fontana, Għajnsielem, Għasri, Nadur and Xewkija.

They were contested by 241 candidates - 120 for the Labour Party, 110 for the Nationalist Party, six for Alternattiva Demokratika and five independents. A total of 137 candidates have to be elected: 11 in St Paul's Bay, nine in Żebbuġ, seven in each of six councils and five in each of the remaining 15.

Votes were cast by 86 per cent of those eligible to do so. The highest turnout, 94 per cent, was registered in Dingli and Qrendi, and the lowest, 68 per cent, in St Paul's Bay - the locality with the longest ballot sheet since it was contested by 21 candidates. The shortest were in Kirkop, Xewkija and Fontana with seven candidates in each.

The counting process is being held today as the Electoral Commission gave precedence to the counting of votes in the general election also held last Saturday.

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